endothecium

[en-doh-thee-shee-uhm, -see-uhm]

noun

Botany.

plural

endothecia 

1. the lining of the cavity of an anther.

2. (in mosses) the central mass of cells in the rudimentary capsule, from which the archespore is generally developed.

3. (in bryophytes) the central mass of cells in the capsule, including the spores and columella.

endothecium

/ -sɪəm, ˌɛndəʊˈθiːʃɪəm /

noun

1. the inner mass of cells of the developing capsule in mosses

2. the fibrous tissue of the inner wall of an anther

Other Word Forms

• endothecial adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of endothecium¹

First recorded in 1825–35; endo- + thecium

Word History and Origins

Origin of endothecium¹

C19: New Latin, from _endo- + Greek thēkion case; see _theca

Example Sentences

The endothecium varies in thickness, generally becoming thinner towards the part where the anther opens, and there disappears entirely.

From Project Gutenberg

Those central cells are the mother-cells of the pollen, whilst the small-celled layer of tissue external to them becomes the endothecium, the exothecium being formed from the epidermal layer.

From Project Gutenberg

The layer of cells immediately around the endothecium becomes the spore-sac, and an air-space forms between this and the wall of the capsule.

From Project Gutenberg

In all other Bryales there is a definite columella extending from the base to the apex of the capsule, the archesporium is derived from the outermost layer of cells of the endothecium, and an air space is formed between the spore-sac and the wall.

From Project Gutenberg

The spores are derived from the endothecium, but no distinction of a sterile columella and an archesporium is established in this, a variable number of its cells becoming spore-mother-cells while the rest serve to nourish the spores.

From Project Gutenberg