Definition of hymenium in English:
hymenium
nounPlural hymenia hʌɪˈmiːnɪəmhīˈmēnēəm
Botany (in higher fungi) a surface consisting mainly of spore-bearing structures (asci or basidia).
Example sentencesExamples
- The cross-section shows the cup to be made of vegatative hyphae with the hymenium layer exposed.
- Unlike some related, duller-coloured species, the hymenium does not turn blood-red when it is scratched.
- The cells in an Ascomycete hymenium tend to be longer and thinner than those in a Basidiomycete hymenium.
- Since the perithecium grows out into the medium from the hymenium after nuclear pairing, this is ascohymenial development.
- This middle layer is subtended by the hymenium which was also devoid of epiphytic organisms.
Derivatives
adjective
Botany Schizopora species have only hymenial cystidia and no tramacystidia.
Example sentencesExamples
- If you cannot see them properly, push gently on the cover slip until the hymenial elements lie free in the medium.
- Beneath the gills there is a cavity, the hymenial chamber, which is still closed in this illustrated sample.
- The latter species has lecanorine apothecia with black hymenial disks.
- Then there will be either lamellae, or gills, or pores, with hymenial layers bearing the basidia.
Origin
Early 19th century: from Greek humenion, diminutive of humēn 'membrane'.