Stipebearing

Stipebearing is a descriptive term used in botany and mycology to indicate the presence of a stipe. The stipe is the stem-like structure that supports the cap of a fungus or the frond of a fern. In the context of fungi, stipebearing species are those that have a distinct stalk connecting the pileus (cap) to the substrate or ground. This is in contrast to sessile fungi, which lack a stipe and attach directly to their growing surface. Examples of stipebearing fungi include many familiar mushrooms like *Agaricus bisporus* (common button mushroom) and *Amanita phalloides* (death cap). The presence and morphology of the stipe are often important characteristics used in the identification and classification of fungi.

Similarly, in ferns, stipebearing refers to the presence of a stipe, which is the stalk connecting the frond blade (lamina) to the rhizome. The stipe is analogous to the petiole of a leaf in flowering plants. It typically contains vascular tissues for transport and can vary significantly in length, color, and texture among different fern species. The term stipebearing helps differentiate these ferns from those where the blade arises directly from the rhizome, though such cases are less common. Understanding the stipe is crucial for the accurate identification of fern taxa.