in botany: A genus of the natural order of fungi, belonging to the cryptogramma class of plants. The fungus is echinated or prickly on the under side. One of the species, named the Imbricatum, is a native of Britain, and is found in woods. It hath a convex hat, tiled, standing on a smooth pillar, of a pale flesh-colour, with white pricks. It is eaten in Italy, and is said to be of a very delicate taste.