Polypores

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A category of fungi distinguished by their fruiting bodies featuring numerous tiny openings on the surface
2. Members of the Basidiomycetes class, recognized for having a porous structure that aids in spore release
3. Fungi characterized by woody, shelf-like growths with pores that release spores

Etymology: "Polypores" is the plural of "polypore," a name for fungi whose fruiting bodies are riddled with many small pores on the underside rather than gills. The word is built from two parts. The first, "poly-," comes from Ancient Greek "polús," meaning "many," and the second, "pore," is an English word for a tiny opening, which entered the language from Latin and Greek roots meaning a passage or channel. Put together, the name describes a fungus with "many pores." The "poly-" element is the same one found in "polygon" and "polyphony," so the word shares its opening with a whole family of English terms for "many." The unusual feature the name highlights is that these fungi are classified by their surface texture of holes, a practical field clue for identifying them in the woods.