The pileus is the technical name for the cap, or cap-like part, of a basidiocarp or ascocarp (fungal fruiting body) that supports a spore-bearing surface, the hymenium.^[1] The hymenium (hymenophore) may consist of lamellae, tubes, or teeth, on the underside of the pileus. A pileus is characteristic of agarics, boletes, some polypores, tooth fungi, and some ascomycetes.

Contents 1 Classification 2 See also 3 Notes 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Classification

Pilei can be of various shapes, and the shape can change over the course of the developmental cycle of a fungus. The most familiar pileus shape is hemispherical or convex. Convex pilei often continue to expand as they mature until they become flat. Many well-known species have a convex pileus, including the button mushroom, various Amanita species and boletes.

Some, such as the parasol mushroom, have distinct bosses or umbos and are described as umbonate. An umbo is a knobby protrusion at the center of the cap. Some fungi, such as chanterelles have a funnel- or trumpet-shaped appearance. In these cases the pileus is termed infundibuliform.

[edit] See also

• Lamella
• Stipe
• Pileus area index

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Moore-Landecker, E: "Fundamentals of the Fungi", page 560. Prentice Hall, 1972.

[edit] References

• Arora, D: "Mushrooms Demystified", Ten Speed Press, 1986.

[edit] External links

This fungus-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e