mycoderm, mycoderma

[Gr. mykēs= a fungus, and derma =skin.] Botany, .: A spurious genus founded on the appearance presented by certain fungi and algals when developed in liquids. Example, yeast (q. v.). If they float or grow on the surface, they are popularly called flowers, as, flowers of wine; but if they sink, mother, as, mother of vinegar. When mycoderms find free oxygen, they absorb it rapidly; when they have to take it from the liquid in which they are growing, its withdrawal hastens decomposition.