mycelium
/mʌɪˈsiːlɪəm
/noun (plural mycelia /mʌɪˈsiːlɪə/) Botany
The vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a network of fine white filaments (hyphae).One to five weeks after the grass seeds germinate, the mycelium, or vegetative filaments of the fungus, migrate to the lower part of the stem....
- Once excreted, the fungal mycelium [the mass of hyphae emanating from the fungus] grows into tiny spheres, about the size of a small pinhead.
- The primary function of the fungal mycelium is absorption of nutrients from the soil, and the translocation of these materials to the host.
Derivatives
mycelial
/ adjective ...- At this time, the diameter of the macerated area was approximately 6 cm, and mycelial growth and esporulation were evident.
- This is useful for detecting candidal hyphae, mycelial tangles and spores.
- The release of spores and mycelial fragments can be a source of inhalational and dermal exposures.
Origin
Mid 19th century: modern Latin, from Greek mukēs 'fungus', on the pattern of epithelium.