Definitions for "Cystidium"
sterile, differentiated, terminal element in the hymenium, or onthe surfaces of the basidiocarp.
a specialized sterile end cell formed anywhere in fungal tissue. It is most commonly found in the hymenial layer of tissue, but may also be found on the surface of the cap, the surface of the stipe, or even within the sterile tissue of the stipe. There are many different types of cystidia; they are named based on the location where they are found, e.g. Dermatocystidia- on the surface tissues; Pileocystidia- found on the surface of the pilius; Caulocystidia- found on the surface of the stipe; Cheilocystidia- on the edge of the gill; Pleurocystidia- on the face of the gill; Endocystidia- form in the tramal tissue of the cap, or stipe; OR on their morphology, function, chemical reactions etc. such as Leptocystidia-which are thin-walled, smooth and do not have distinctive contents and are not tramal in origin; Gloeocystidia- which are variable in shape and stain easily or have conspicuous contents; Lamprocystidia- which are thick-walled and without conspicuous contents, etc. See Largent, Johnson, & Watling ( Bibliography) for detailed information concerning these cells, their form, function, description and illustration.
a big, funny-looking end cell that sticks out of a gill surface but doesn't look like a basidium