conidium

[ koh-nid-ee-uhm, kuh- ]

noun

, Botany.

, plural co·nid·i·a [koh-, nid, -ee-, uh, k, uh, -].

1. (in fungi) an asexual spore formed by abstriction at the top of a hyphal branch.

conidium

/ kəʊˈnɪdɪəm /

noun

1. an asexual spore formed at the tip of a specialized hypha (conidiophore) in fungi such as Penicillium

conidium

/ kə-nĭd′ē-əm /

, Plural conidia

1. An asexually produced fungal spore, formed on a conidiophore. Most conidia are dispersed by the wind and can endure extremes of cold, heat, and dryness. When conditions are favorable, they germinate and grow into hyphae.

Derived Forms

• coˈnidial, adjective

Other Words From

• co·nidi·al co·nidi·an adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of conidium¹

1865–70; < Greek kón ( is ) dust (akin to incinerate ) + -idium

Word History and Origins

Origin of conidium¹

C19: from New Latin, from Greek konis dust + ium

Example Sentences

When it has reached the front of the opening in the conidium, which is thus emptied, the mass remains immovable.

From Project Gutenberg

This secondary conidium can sometimes engender a third cellule by a similar process.

From Project Gutenberg

A short time after the appearance of the vacuoles the entire conidium extends itself so that the papilla disappears.

From Project Gutenberg

Then it isolates itself from the germ-tube by a septum, and takes all the essential characteristics of the parent conidium.

From Project Gutenberg