Mycological Glossary

• culture - Mycelium of a particular strain and species, often grown in a petri dish or test tube for easy storage and replication.
• liquid culture - Mycelium grown in a nutrified solution such as 4% honey water, often in a glass jar or similar lidded vessel; simplifies cultivation in non-sterile conditions.
• mushroom - The fruiting body of a fungal network; a specialised structure grown to replicate and distribute the genetic information of the mycelium via spores.
• mycelium - The body of a fungus, made up of branching and interconnected threads of single cells (hyphae); often appears as a white, fluffy mass resembling tiny roots.
• mycomaterial - A substance or object grown out of mycelium, often using hemp hurd or similar woody substance as a base material. Mycomaterials hold great potential as replacements for plastic, styrofoam, leather etc.
• spore - A tiny reproductive bundle carrying the genetic information of the parent organism; germinates to restart the life-cycle of the fungus.