noun
- a cup-shaped structure at the base of some mushrooms, formed from the remains of the universal veil
Usage: botanical; mycological
Examples
- The death cap mushroom can be identified by its distinctive white volva at the base.
- Mycologists examine the volva to help classify different species of fungi.
- The volva is an important diagnostic feature when identifying Amanita mushrooms.
- She carefully dug around the mushroom base to expose the entire volva.
- The field guide showed detailed illustrations of various volva shapes and sizes.