Definitions for "Universal veil"
sterile fungal tissue, often membranous, cottony or granular, which envelops the young fruitbody and is torn open or apart during expansion of the fruitbody. Remnants may form scales on the cap, scales`on the stem or lower annulus surface or a volva.
Fungal tissue completely enclosing the developing mushroom of some species. It may remain as a cup around the base of the stalk but is often carried up and remnants form as patches scattered over the surface of the cap.
A sheet of tissue surrounding the entire fruiting body until it is ready to expand and disperse spores, seen especially well in the genus Amanita . Portions of the universal veil may remain as wartlike masses on the surface of the cap. The bottom portion may persist as a cup, or volva.