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Basidiomycota

Basidiomycota

9.9
A large group of fungi like mushrooms and puffballs that make spores on small club-shaped parts
  • noun
  • /bəˌsɪdiəˈmaɪkəˌtə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Basidiomycota
  • Many edible mushrooms belong to the Basidiomycota, making them important for both ecology and cuisine.

Examples

  • The Basidiomycota are essential for ecosystem health.

  • Basidiomycota includes familiar fungi such as mushrooms, toadstools, and puffballs.

  • Scientists study Basidiomycota to better understand fungal biodiversity and the decomposition of wood.

  • Many edible mushrooms belong to the Basidiomycota group.

  • The Basidiomycota group includes many familiar fungi such as mushrooms and puffballs.

  • Scientists study the Basidiomycota to understand the roles these fungi play in ecosystems.

  • Mushrooms are a visible representation of the Basidiomycota, which also includes important agricultural pathogens.

Synonyms

basidiomycetous fungi
vsBasidiomycota
  • Specialized
9.9

A living thing like mushrooms that makes spores on small club-shaped cells

is the formal division name for the same spore-producing group
Basidiomycotina
vsBasidiomycota
  • Archaic
9.9

A group of fungi that includes mushrooms and puffballs

is the modern division term replacing that older name
Basidiomycetes
vsBasidiomycota
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of fungi that includes mushrooms, puffballs, and shelf fungi

is a higher taxonomic division that includes more groups than that class

Surface Forms

Basidiomycota singular

Morphology

Basidiomycota = basidium + mycota (opaque) = basidium + mycota

The term is a Neo-Latin scientific compound of specialized combining forms; its meaning is only clear to learners with biological/taxonomic knowledge, not from common English vocabulary.

Etymology

Basidiomycota comes from basidium meaning 'little base' and -mycota meaning 'fungi'. That's why Basidiomycota names the group of fungi that make spores on a small 'base' or stand, as you see in mushrooms and puffballs.