Cortex - LIAS Glossary

This is a test version of the LIAS Glossary. Many definitions presented here are still in need of revision! Criticism as well as collaboration is welcome!

cortex (noun, pl. cortices; variant spelling: pl. cortexes) – outermost layer of the thallus (and of lecanorine apothecial margins) which, if present, in the true sense consists of compacted hyphae which may appear either fibrous or cellular, sometimes gelatinized; relatively hard and tough, protective in function; used loosely to include superficially similar outer layers; also used sometimes for the wall of a pycnidium. Related terms: eucortex, phenocortex, pseudocortex, cone cortex, epicortex, syncortex, ecorticate. This is: part of thallus surface, part of thallus interior.

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