Veil (mycology): Difference between revisions

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Veil (mycology)

A veil in mycology refers to a structure that covers parts of a mushroom during its development. There are two main types of veils: the universal veil and the partial veil. These structures are important for the identification and classification of mushrooms.

Universal Veil

The universal veil is a membrane that completely encloses the immature mushroom, forming a protective layer. As the mushroom grows, the universal veil breaks, often leaving remnants on the cap or the stipe. These remnants can appear as warts or patches on the cap or as a volva at the base of the stipe. The presence and characteristics of the universal veil are key features in identifying certain mushroom species, such as those in the Amanita genus.

Partial Veil

The partial veil is a structure that covers the gills or other spore-producing surfaces of the mushroom. As the mushroom matures, the partial veil typically breaks, leaving a ring or annulus on the stipe. In some species, the partial veil may disappear entirely, while in others, it leaves a distinct ring. The presence and form of the partial veil are important for distinguishing between different species and genera of mushrooms.

Function

Veils serve to protect the developing spore-producing surfaces of the mushroom from environmental factors such as desiccation and predation. They also help in the dispersal of spores by ensuring that the spore-producing surfaces are exposed at the right time.

Examples

- The Amanita muscaria is a well-known example of a mushroom with a prominent universal veil, which leaves a volva at the base and warts on the cap. - The Cortinarius genus often has a cobweb-like partial veil known as a cortina, which can leave a ring on the stipe.

Related Pages

References

Arora, David. Mushrooms Demystified. Ten Speed Press, 1986.
Lincoff, Gary. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms. Knopf, 1981.

Gallery

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-'''Veil (mycology)''' refers to a membrane or tissue structure in [[fungi]], particularly [[mushrooms]], that covers or connects various parts of the mushroom during its early stages of growth. This structure plays a crucial role in the development and reproductive processes of mushrooms. There are two primary types of veils in mycology: the partial veil and the universal veil.
+== Veil (mycology) ==
-==Partial Veil==
+A '''veil''' in [[mycology]] refers to a structure that covers parts of a [[mushroom]] during its development. There are two main types of veils: the '''universal veil''' and the '''partial veil'''. These structures are important for the identification and classification of mushrooms.
-The '''partial veil''' is a membrane that connects the [[mushroom cap]] (pileus) to the [[stem]] (stipe), enclosing the [[gills]] or [[spores]] during the early stages of the mushroom's development. As the mushroom matures, the partial veil breaks, allowing the spores to disperse. The remnants of the partial veil can often be seen on the stem as a [[ring]] or [[annulus]], or on the edge of the cap as [[fibrils]] or [[fragments]].
-==Universal Veil==
+=== Universal Veil ===
-The '''universal veil''' is a temporary membranous tissue that completely encloses the immature mushroom, protecting the developing fruiting body. As the mushroom grows, the universal veil ruptures, leaving behind pieces on the cap, which are known as [[warts]] or [[volva]] at the base of the stem. The universal veil is a distinctive feature in identifying certain genera of mushrooms, such as [[Amanita]], where the presence of a volva and warts is a key characteristic.
-==Function==
+The '''universal veil''' is a membrane that completely encloses the immature mushroom, forming a protective layer. As the mushroom grows, the universal veil breaks, often leaving remnants on the [[cap (mushroom)|cap]] or the [[stipe (mycology)|stipe]]. These remnants can appear as warts or patches on the cap or as a volva at the base of the stipe. The presence and characteristics of the universal veil are key features in identifying certain mushroom species, such as those in the [[Amanita]] genus.
-The primary function of the veil in mushrooms is to protect the delicate developing spores and to maintain a humid microenvironment that facilitates spore development. The veil's structure and its remnants can also aid in the dispersal of spores by creating structures that catch the wind or by exposing the spores at a height that maximizes dispersal.
-==Identification==
+=== Partial Veil ===
-The presence, absence, and type of veil are important characteristics used in the identification of mushrooms. Mycologists and mushroom enthusiasts observe the veil's remnants, such as the annulus and volva, to differentiate between species, as these features can be critical in distinguishing between edible and poisonous varieties.
-==Evolutionary Significance==
+The '''partial veil''' is a structure that covers the [[gills (mushroom)|gills]] or other spore-producing surfaces of the mushroom. As the mushroom matures, the partial veil typically breaks, leaving a ring or annulus on the stipe. In some species, the partial veil may disappear entirely, while in others, it leaves a distinct ring. The presence and form of the partial veil are important for distinguishing between different species and genera of mushrooms.
-The evolution of the veil in mushrooms is thought to be an adaptation that enhances spore dispersal while protecting the developing spores from environmental hazards. The veil's various structures have evolved in different mushroom families, indicating a diverse range of evolutionary strategies for spore protection and dispersal.
+=== Function ===
+Veils serve to protect the developing [[spore]]-producing surfaces of the mushroom from environmental factors such as desiccation and predation. They also help in the dispersal of spores by ensuring that the spore-producing surfaces are exposed at the right time.
+=== Examples ===
+- The [[Amanita muscaria]] is a well-known example of a mushroom with a prominent universal veil, which leaves a volva at the base and warts on the cap.
+- The [[Cortinarius]] genus often has a cobweb-like partial veil known as a cortina, which can leave a ring on the stipe.
+== Related Pages ==
+* [[Mushroom anatomy]]
+* [[Spore]]
+* [[Fungi]]
+== References ==
+* Arora, David. ''Mushrooms Demystified''. Ten Speed Press, 1986.
+* Lincoff, Gary. ''The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms''. Knopf, 1981.
+== Gallery ==
+[[File:Cortinarius_claricolor_01.jpg|thumb|right|Cortinarius claricolor showing veil remnants]]
+{{Commons category|Veils (mycology)}}
 [[Category:Mycology]]
-[[Category:Fungi morphology]]
-{{mycology-stub}}