apothecium

[ ap-uh-thee-shee-uhm, -see- ]

noun

, Botany, Mycology.

, plural ap·o·the·ci·a [ap-, uh, -, thee, -shee-, uh, -see-, uh].

1. the fruit of certain lichens and fungi: usually an open, saucer-shaped or cup-shaped body, the inner surface of which is covered with a layer that bears asci.

apothecium

/ ˌæpəˈθiːsɪəl; ˌæpəˈθiːsɪəm /

noun

1. botany a cup-shaped structure that contains the asci, esp in lichens; a type of ascocarp

apothecium

/ ăp′ə-thē′sē-əm,-shē- /

, Plural apothecia ăp′ə-thē′sē-ə,-shē-

1. A disk-shaped or cup-shaped ascocarp of some lichens and the fungi Ascomycetes.

Derived Forms

• apothecial, adjective

Other Words From

• ap·o·the·cial [ap-, uh, -, thee, -sh, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of apothecium¹

1820–30; < New Latin < Greek apo- apo- + thēkíon, equivalent to thḗk ( ē ) case ( theca ) + -ion diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of apothecium¹

C19: from New Latin, from apo- + Greek thēkion a little case

Example Sentences

Nylander called the apothecium pale within, but forms with red-brown hypothecia are admitted by later writers.

From Project Gutenberg

In the Helvellaceae there is no apothecium but a large irregular fruit body which at maturity bears the asci on its surface.

From Project Gutenberg

The cup, or shield-shaped spot, or knob, which bears the fructification is named the Apothecium.

From Project Gutenberg

Cyclocarpineae, Apothecium usually circular, no capillitium.

From Project Gutenberg

Piece of thallus of Parmelia conspersa, with section through an apothecium.

From Project Gutenberg