volva
/ˈvɑlvə/
noun
- A cup-shaped structure at the base of the stem of some mushrooms, especially poisonous ones like the death cap.
- When foraging for mushrooms, always check for a volva to avoid toxic varieties.
- The mushroom had a white volva at the base, which helped identify it as a dangerous species.
- The volva of the Amanita mushroom is often buried in soil, so you have to dig carefully to see it.