What are Basidia?

Basidium (plural: basidia) is a type of structure found in certain fungi, including mushrooms and bracket fungi. It is a specialized organ that produces spores, which are the reproductive units of the fungus.

Basidia are typically located on the underside of the cap of a mushroom or on the surface of a bracket fungus. They are made up of a mass of hyphae (filaments) that are clustered together and surrounded by a protective covering called a sterigma. The sterigma helps to protect the basidium from the environment and prevents it from drying out.

When the conditions are right, the basidium will produce spores, which are released into the air or onto the surface of a substrate. The spores can then germinate and grow into new fungal individuals.

In summary, basidia are specialized structures found in certain fungi that produce spores for reproduction.