This glossary explains biological, botanical, zoological and mycological terms, as well as terms used in cecidology. It is intended to make the numerous technical terms used in the photo gallery and on the information pages of this website easier to understand.
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Reagent
A reagent is a substance used to identify another substance, i.e. a detecting agent in an analytical reaction. Adding the reagent causes a chemical reaction that produces a characteristic precipitate or colour change, allowing conclusions to be drawn about the presence or absence of particular ions or functional groups. Many reagents are named after their developers or discoverers, such as Melzer’s reagent.
Receptaculum
A spongy, chambered, highly extensible pseudoparenchymatous structure of the gasterothecia of the Phallales (stinkhorns). As the receptaculum elongates, the mature gleba is lifted after the peridium ruptures, exposing it to insects. The receptaculum may be stalk-shaped, candelabra-like or reticulately branched. In Phallus (stinkhorns), it is divided into cap and stalk; in some Phallaceae, a veil (indusium) occurs in addition. Such fruiting bodies are known as veiled stinkhorns.
Resupinate
Lying flat against the substrate without forming a cap.
Rhizomorphs
Rhizomorphs are thickened mycelial strands found in some basidiomycetes and composed of outer and inner hyphae. The outer layer is usually strongly thickened, pigmented and sclerotised. Rhizomorphs resemble plant roots and also serve to transport substances. They are mainly used to reach new substrate sources, but may also transport materials to fruiting bodies at more distant locations. Rhizomorphs are well known in Armillaria, which use them not only in mycorrhizal associations but also to penetrate the root systems of host trees.
Roestelia
Aecia with lattice-like wall structures (roestelia producing roesteliospores). The image shows a detail of pear trellis rust (Gymnosporangium sabinae).
Rust fungi
Rust fungi or rust-like fungi (Pucciniales) are an order of basidiomycetes (Basidiomycota). They are plant parasites and mainly infect shoots and leaves. They have a complex life cycle that often includes host alternation. Many species are economically important because they infect crop plants.
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