Hymenium facts for kids

The hymenium is a special layer found on the part of a fungus that makes fruits. Think of it as the "spore factory" of a mushroom! This is where tiny cells grow and create spores, which are like the seeds of a fungus.

This important layer helps scientists identify different types of mushrooms. By looking at where the hymenium is located, they can often tell what kind of mushroom it is. It's one of the first clues!

Where to Find the Hymenium

The hymenium can be found in different places depending on the type of fungus. Here are some examples:

• In mushrooms with gills, like the Amanita muscaria, the hymenium is on the flat sides of the gills.
• In boletes, it's in a spongy area made of tubes that point downwards.
• For puffballs, you'll find the hymenium on the inside of the puffball.
• In stinkhorns, it starts growing inside and then comes out as a smelly gel.
• If you look at cup fungi, the hymenium is on the inner surface of the cup shape.
• For tooth fungi, it grows on the outside of their tooth-like spines.

Images for kids

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  Gills of the Fly Agaric Amanita muscaria

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  The bolete Slippery Jack (Suillus luteus) with bright yellow pores

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  Giant Puffball Calvatia gigantea

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  The cup fungus Sarcoscypha austriaca

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  The large angular pores of Polyporus alveolaris, the hexagonal-pored polypore

See also

In Spanish: Himenio para niños