endothecium

American  

[en-doh-thee-shee-uhm, -see-uhm] / ˌɛn doʊˈθi ʃi əm, -si əm /

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.

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endothecium British  

/ -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

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Other Word Forms

• endothecial adjective

Etymology

Origin of endothecium

First recorded in 1825–35; endo- + thecium

Example Sentences

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

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 5 "Fleury, Claude" to "Foraker" by Various

In Sphagnum, as in Anthoceros, the archesporium is derived from the amphithecium; in all other mosses it is the outermost layer of the endothecium.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 "Brescia" to "Bulgaria" by Various

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 Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 5 "Fleury, Claude" to "Foraker" by Various

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 Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 "Brescia" to "Bulgaria" by Various