basidiomycete
/bəˌsɪdɪəˈmʌɪsiːt
/noun (plural basidiomycetes /bəˌsɪdɪəˈmʌɪsiːts/ /bəˌsɪdɪəmʌɪˈsiːtiːz/) Botany
A fungus whose spores develop in basidia. They include the majority of familiar mushrooms and toadstools. Compare with ascomycete.
- Subdivision Basidiomycotina (formerly class Basidiomycetes): several classes.
- Both basidiomycetes and ascomycetes developed the ability to digest plant tissues early on.
- In all such analyses, the chytrids were the deepest branch of fungi, followed by zygomycetes and then basidiomycetes and ascomycetes.
Origin
Late 19th century: anglicized singular of modern Latin Basidiomycetes, from basidium (see basidium) + Greek mukētes 'fungi'.