cleistothecium

Or clis·to·the·ci·um

[klahy-stuh-thee-shee-uhm, -see-uhm]

noun

plural

cleistothecia 

1. (in certain ascomycetous fungi) a closed, globose ascocarp from which the ascospores are released only by its rupture or decay.

cleistothecium

plural

cleistothecia 

1. A closed spherical ascocarp, such as the truffle.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cleistothecium¹

cleisto- + thecium

Example Sentences

Various types of ascocarp are characteristic of the different divisions of the Carpoascomycetes: the cleistothecium, apothecium and perithecium.

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