Basidiomycetes \Ba*sid`i*o*my*ce"tes\, n. pl. [NL., fr. NL. & E.
basidium + Gr. ?, ?, fungus.]
(Bot.)
A large subdivision of fungi co["o]rdinate with the
Ascomycetes, characterized by having the spores borne on a
basidium. It embraces those fungi best known to the public,
such as mushrooms, toadstools, etc.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
|
Fungi \Fun"gi\, n. pl. (Bot.)
A group of thallophytic plants of low organization, destitute
of chlorophyll, in which reproduction is mainly accomplished
by means of asexual spores, which are produced in a great
variety of ways, though sexual reproduction is known to occur
in certain Phycomycetes, or so-called algal fungi.
Note: The Fungi appear to have originated by degeneration
from various alg[ae], losing their chlorophyll on
assuming a parasitic or saprophytic life. By some they
are divided into the subclasses Phycomycetes, the
lower or algal fungi; the Mesomycetes, or
intermediate fungi; and the Mycomycetes, or the
higher fungi; by others into the Phycomycetes; the
Ascomycetes, or sac-spore fungi; and the
Basidiomycetes, or basidial-spore fungi.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
|