noun
- The spore-bearing surface or layer in fungi, especially the underside of a mushroom cap, consisting of closely packed basidia or asci.
Usage: mycology; technical
Examples
- The hymenium of the mushroom contains millions of microscopic spores.
- Under the mushroom's cap, the hymenium appears as thin, blade-like gills.
- Mycologists examine the hymenium to identify fungal species.
- The hymenium releases spores into the air for reproduction.
- Different fungi have different hymenium structures, such as gills, pores, or teeth.