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Glite Dictionary
👄 A mouth flap 🍄 A thin covering
velum

velum

9.9
A thin skin covering a young mushroom that breaks as it grows
  • noun
  • /ˈviːləm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : velum
  • The velum protects the spore-producing surface of the mushroom until it matures.

Examples

  • Careful observation of the velum can help identify certain mushroom species.

  • As the mushroom grows, the velum breaks, leaving remnants on the stem or cap.

  • The velum of the mushroom is often delicate.

  • Some mushrooms have a velum that protects their gills.

  • As the mushroom matures, the velum breaks apart, leaving trace remnants on the stem or cap.

  • Careful study of the mushroom's velum can assist in identifying different species.

  • The velum serves to shield the spore-producing surface of the mushroom until it is fully developed.

Synonyms

veil
vsvelum
  • Specialized
8 7.7

A thin natural skin that covers things like young mushrooms or newborn babies

is the membrane on immature fruiting bodies rather than any thin covering
partial veil
vsvelum
  • Specialized
9.9

A thin skin that covers a young mushroom and breaks to leave a ring on the stem

is a membrane on immature fruiting bodies generally, not only the cap to stem connection

Surface Forms

velum singular
vela plural

Etymology

Velum comes from Latin velum meaning 'sail' or 'veil'. Think of it as a small 'veil' or thin covering over a young mushroom that breaks as the mushroom grows, and that's why the thin skin on mushrooms is called a velum.