dry rot
1. Any of several plant diseases which are characterized by the formation of dry, shrivelled lesions; they are due usually to fungal infection.

2. A serious type of timber decay in buildings, caused by the fungus Serpula lacrymans. Typically, infected timber develops longitudinal and cross-grain cracking and bears a surface growth of whitish mycelium; leathery fruit bodies bearing rust-coloured spores may appear.

dry rot • n. 1. fungal timber decay occurring in poorly ventilated conditions in buildings, resulting in cracking and powdering of the wood. 2. (also dry rot fungus) the fungus (Serpula lacrymans, family Corticiaceae) that causes this.

dry rot
1. Any of several plant diseases which are characterized by the formation of dry, shrivelled lesions; they are usually due to fungal infection.

2. A serious type of timber decay in buildings, caused by the fungus Serpula lacrymans. Typically, infected timber develops longitudinal and cross-grain cracking and bears a surface growth of whitish mycelium; leathery fruit bodies bearing rust-coloured spores may appear.