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Glite Dictionary
Phallales

Phallales

9.9
A group of fungi that includes stinkhorn mushrooms with slimy bodies that smell bad
  • noun
  • /ˈfæl.ə.leɪz/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Phallales
  • The Phallales are well known for their distinctive, foul odor that attracts insects for spore dispersal.

Examples

  • Some members of the Phallales can be found growing in woodlands after rain.

  • Mycologists have long debated the classification of various stinkhorns within the Phallales.

  • The Phallales order includes various species known for their unique shapes.

  • Did you know that Phallales are often found in decaying wood?

  • Some members of the Phallales can be found growing in woodlands after rain.

  • The Phallales are well known for their distinctive, foul odor that attracts insects for spore dispersal.

  • Did you know that Phallales are often found in decaying wood?

Synonyms

order Phallales
vsPhallales
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of fungi with slimy, smelly mushroom-like bodies

is the more general descriptive label for that same fungal order

Compounds

order Phallales
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of fungi with slimy, smelly mushroom-like bodies

Surface Forms

Phallales singular
Phallales plural

Morphology

Phallales = phallus (opaque) = phallus + ales

The -ales ending is a Latin taxonomic order suffix used in scientific nomenclature and is not a productive English suffix, so the meaning is not transparently derived for average learners.

Etymology

Phallales comes from the Greek root phallos meaning 'penis' because many of these mushrooms have a tall, tube-like shape that looks similar. The ending -ales marks a scientific order or 'group', so Phallales names the 'penis-shaped' group of mushrooms and this explains the odd look and strong smell of the stinkhorns in that order.