Stipe (mycology) Stipe (mycology) In mycology, a stipe () is the stem or stalk-like feature supporting the cap of a mushroom. Like all tissues of the mushroom other than the hymenium, the stipe is composed of sterile hyphal tissue. In many instances, however, the fertile hymenium extends down the stipe some distance. Fungi that have stipes are said to be stipitate. The evolutionary benefit of a stipe is generally considered to be in mediating spore dispersal. An elevated mushroom will more easily release its spores into wind currents or onto passing animals. Nevertheless, many mushrooms do not have stipes, including cup fungi,
Bibliography of biology list of works on biophysics, an interdisciplinary science that uses the methods of physical science to study biological systems. This section is a list of works on botany, the scientific study of plant life. This section contains a list of works on cell biology, the study of cells – their physiological properties, their structure, the organelles they contain, interactions with their environment, their life cycle, division and death. This section contains a list of works in ecology, the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. This section contains a