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.
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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.
 Campanulate (bell-shaped) |
 Conical |
 Convex |
 Depressed |
 Flat |
 Infundibuliform |
 Offset |
 Ovate |
 Umbilicate |
 Umbonate |
See also
Notes
- ^ Moore-Landecker, E: "Fundamentals of the Fungi", page 560. Prentice Hall, 1972.
References
- Arora, D: "Mushrooms Demystified", Ten Speed Press, 1986.
External links
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