holobasidiomycete

Holobasidiomycete is a term used in mycology to describe a specific type of basidium. A basidium is the reproductive structure found in fungi belonging to the phylum Basidiomycota, where nuclear fusion and meiosis occur, leading to the production of basidiospores. In holobasidiomycetes, the basidium is characterized by being a single, undivid ed cell. This contrasts with heterobasidiomycetes, which have septate (divided) basidia.

The term holobasidiomycete is often used in older classifications but is still relevant for understanding fungal morphology and evolutionary relationships within the Basidiomycota. Fungi possessing holobasidia are widespread and include many familiar groups such as mushrooms, puffballs, and rusts, though the classification based on basidium type is not the sole determinant of fungal relationships. The structure of the basidium, whether holobasidiate or heterobasidiate, has historically been a key feature for distinguishing major groups of Basidiomycetes. Modern phylogenetic analyses, however, often rely on molecular data to define fungal lineages. Despite this shift, recognizing the holobasidiate condition remains important for descriptive mycology and for comparative studies of fungal reproductive strategies.