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Etymology
editPlease could somebody explain the origin of the name Catathelasma?
The modern Greek phrase "κατα θηλασμό" apparently means "under breastfeeding" or "during breastfeeding". Does this have anything to do with this mushroom genus? The French page seems to imply that it does, but the reason for choosing such a designation escapes me.
Another clue is that in "Saccardo, P.A. Sylloge Fungorum XXI: 8 (1912)" (see [1]), it says "etym. ex lamellis distincte decurrentibus", meaning, I suppose, that the etymology is from the distinctly decurrent gills. Please could someone explain how this relates to the Greek name?
![[1]](http://www.librifungorum.org/Image.asp?ItemID=289&ImageFileName=0008b.jpg){kind=link}
Strobilomyces (talk) 19:51, 1 March 2012 (UTC)
- I don't think this page has many watchers, so you may not get your answer here. I can say I've seen several sources that confirm the meaning of the generic name as "running down", but none that explain the specifics. Perhaps re-post at the WikiProject talk page? (Casliber is often helpful with Greek etymology) Sasata (talk) 20:36, 1 March 2012 (UTC)
- Actually I have now found Mrs. Lovejoy's own definition and she says "The ring and volva, together with the very decided decurrent gills (upon which character the generic name is based), are telling characteristics of this genus of the Leucosporae" so the meaning must indeed be as you say. I didn't need to mention Saccardo and I think the breastfeeding is not related. The only explanations of the name which I've seen are those I've mentioned. Thanks for your rapid answer. Strobilomyces (talk) 22:08, 1 March 2012 (UTC)
Please see the language reference desk archive for an extended discussion of the origin of the name Catathelasma. Strobilomyces (talk) 17:13, 11 March 2012 (UTC)