Stipe (mycology)
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2008-07-07T18:18:02Z
Thijs!bot
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robot Adding: [[hu:Tönk (mikológia)]]
{{otheruses|Stipe (disambiguation)}}
[[image:Ring and volva stipe icon.png|thumb|150px|right|Diagram of a [[basidiomycete]] stipe with a [[annulus (mycology)|annulus]] and [[volva (mycology)|volva]]]]
In [[mycology]] a '''stipe''' refers to the stem or stalk-like feature supporting the [[pileus (mycology)|cap ]] of a [[mushroom]]. Like all tissues of the mushroom other than the [[hymenium]], the stipe is composed of sterile [[hyphae|hyphal]] tissue. In many instances, however, the fertile hymenium extends down the stipe some distance. Fungi that have stipes are said to be '''stipitate'''.
The evolutionary benefit of a stipe is generally considered to be in mediating [[spore]] dispersal. An elevated mushroom will more easily release its spores into wind currents or onto passing animals. Nevertheless, many mushrooms do not have stipes, including: [[cup fungi]], [[puffball]]s, [[geastraceae|earthstar]]s, some [[polypore]]s, [[jelly fungi]], [[ergot]]s, and [[smut (fungus)|smut]]s.
It is often the case that features of the stipe are required to make a positive identification of a mushroom. Such distinguishing characters include:
# the texture of the stipe (fibrous, brittle, chalky, leathery, firm, etc.)
# whether it has remains of a [[partial veil]] (such as an annulus or [[cortina]]) or [[universal veil]] ([[volva (mycology)]])
# whether the stipes of many mushrooms fuse at their base
# its general size and shape
# whether the stipe extends underground in a root-like structure (a [[rhizome]])
When [[mushroom hunting|collecting mushrooms]] for identification it is critical to maintain all these characters intact by digging the mushroom out of the soil, rather than cutting it off mid-stipe.
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[[Category:Fungal morphology and anatomy]]
[[cs:Třeň]]
[[es:Estipe (micología)]]
[[eu:Hanka (mikologia)]]
[[is:Stafur (sveppur)]]
[[it:Gambo (micologia)]]
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[[nl:Steel (mycologie)]]
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