amphithecium

American  

[am-fuh-thee-shee-uhm] / ˌæm fəˈθi ʃi əm /

noun

amphithecia plural

1. Botany. the layer or one of the layers of cells in the capsule of a moss surrounding the spores.

2. Mycology. (in certain lichens) a layer of cells that surrounds the fungal apothecium.

---

amphithecium British  

/ ˌæmfɪˈθiːsɪəm /

noun

1. the outer layer of cells of the sporophyte of mosses and liverworts that develops into the outer parts of the spore-bearing capsule

---

Other Word Forms

• amphithecial
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of amphithecium

< New Latin < Greek amphi- amphi- + thēkíon ( thḗk ( ē ) case, cover + -ion diminutive suffix)

Example Sentences

In Sphagnum, as in Anthoceros, the archesporium is derived from the amphithecium; in all other mosses it is the outermost layer of the endothecium.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 "Brescia" to "Bulgaria" by Various