conidium

American  

[koh-nid-ee-uhm, kuh-] / koʊˈnɪd i əm, kə- /

noun

Botany.

plural

conidia

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

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conidium British  

/ kəʊˈnɪdɪəm /

noun

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

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conidium Scientific  

/ 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.

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Other Word Forms

• conidial adjective
• conidian adjective

Etymology

Origin of conidium

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

Example Sentences

These spores are conidia, asexually-produced reproductive cells, and are termed a Stage I infection.

From Scientific American

The fungus reproduces asexually, “meaning it makes a type of spore called a conidium,” Flaherty says.

From US News

Bees have been shown to carry the spores of Sclerotinia and infect the stigmas of Bilberries, etc., with them; and flies convey the conidia of Ergot from grain to grain.

From Project Gutenberg

The simple sporophore does not necessarily terminate in conidia, however.

From Project Gutenberg

The spores of Ferns, ascospores, and some conidia are also liberated explosively.

From Project Gutenberg