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Inmycology, astipe (/staɪp/) is the stem or stalk-like feature supporting thecap of amushroom. Like all tissues of the mushroom other than thehymenium, the stipe is composed of sterilehyphal tissue. In many instances, however, the fertile hymenium extends down the stipe some distance. Fungi that have stipes are said to bestipitate.[1]
The evolutionary benefit of a stipe is generally considered to be in mediatingspore dispersal. An elevated mushroom will more easily release its spores into wind currents or onto passing animals. Nevertheless, many mushrooms do not have stipes, includingcup fungi,puffballs,earthstars, somepolypores,jelly fungi,ergots, andsmuts.
It is often the case that features of the stipe are required to make a positive identification of a mushroom. Such distinguishing characters include:
Whencollecting mushrooms for identification it is critical to maintain all these characters intact by digging the mushroom out of the soil, rather than cutting it off mid-stipe.
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