sorus

American  

[sawr-uhs, sohr-] / ˈsɔr əs, ˈsoʊr- /

noun

plural

sori

1. Botany. one of the clusters of sporangia on the back of the fronds of ferns.

2. Mycology. a soruslike spore mass of certain fungi and lichens.

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sorus British  

/ ˈsɔːrəs /

noun

1. a cluster of sporangia on the undersurface of certain fern leaves

2. any of various similar spore-producing structures in some lichens and fungi

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sorus Scientific  

/ sôr′əs /

plural

sori

1. A cluster of sporangia borne on the underside of a fern frond. A sorus is sometimes covered by an indusium.

2. Also called fruitdot

3. A reproductive structure consisting of masses of spores, characteristic of certain fungi such as rusts and smuts.

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Etymology

Origin of sorus

1825–35; < New Latin < Greek sōrós heap

Example Sentences

S. Sorus or Sour was a hermit, born about the year 500; he set off with two companions, Amandus and Cyprian, to find a desert place where he might take up his abode.

From Castles and Cave Dwellings of Europe by Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)

Commonly the spore-cases occupy only detached spots or lines, each of which is called a Sorus, or in English merely a Fruit-dot.

From The Elements of Botany For Beginners and For Schools by Gray, Asa