Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
basidial

basidial

9.9
Relating to cells that make spores in fungi like mushrooms
  • adjective
  • /bəˈzɪdiəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : basidial
  • The basidial layer is where spores are produced in certain mushrooms.

Examples

  • Under the microscope, the basidial cells appeared swollen and full of spores.

  • Identification of fungi relies on examining their basidial characteristics.

  • The basidial structure is crucial for spore production.

  • Researchers study basidial fungi to understand their life cycle.

  • The basidial layer is where spores are produced in certain mushrooms.

  • Identification of fungi relies on examining their basidial characteristics.

  • Under the microscope, the basidial cells appeared swollen and full of spores.

Surface Forms

basidial positive

Morphology

basidial = basidium (semi-transparent) = basidi + al

The adjective is formed from the technical noun basidium/basidia plus -al, but the stem reduction to basidi- makes the relationship slightly less obvious.

Etymology

The word basidial comes from basidium, which comes from the Greek basis meaning 'base' or 'step', and a basidium is like a tiny 'pedestal' that holds spores. So, basidial describes the spore-making cells 'at the base' of certain fungi.