perithecium

American  

[per-uh-thee-shee-uhm, -shuhm, -see-uhm] / ˌpɛr əˈθi ʃi əm, -ʃəm, -si əm /

noun

Mycology.

plural

perithecia

1. the fruiting body of ascomycetous fungi, typically a minute, more or less completely closed, globose or flask-shaped body enclosing the asci.

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perithecium British  

/ ˌpɛrɪˈθiːsɪəm /

noun

1. botany a flask-shaped structure containing asci that are discharged from an apical pore; a type of ascocarp

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perithecium Scientific  

/ pĕr′ə-thē′shē-əm,-sē-əm /

plural

perithecia

1. A small flask-shaped fruiting body in some ascomycete fungi that encloses the asci (spore sacs).

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Other Word Forms

• perithecial adjective

Etymology

Origin of perithecium

From New Latin, dating back to 1825–35; see origin at peri-, thecium

Example Sentences

The perithecium consists usually of an external layer of cellular structure, which is either smooth or hairy, usually blackish, and an internal stratum of less compact cells, which give rise to the hymenium.

From Fungi: Their Nature and Uses by Cooke, M. C. (Mordecai Cubitt)

When fully mature, the asci are ruptured and the sporidia escape by a pore which occupies the apex of the perithecium.

From Fungi: Their Nature and Uses by Cooke, M. C. (Mordecai Cubitt)

The spores are produced on slender threads springing from the inner wall of the perithecium, and, when mature, are expelled from an orifice at the apex.

From Fungi: Their Nature and Uses by Cooke, M. C. (Mordecai Cubitt)

As at present limited, the Pyrenomycetes are "ascigerous fungi having the fructification enclosed within a perithecium."

From Student's Hand-book of Mushrooms of America, Edible and Poisonous by Taylor, Thomas

A perithecium, or cell excavated in the stroma which fulfils the functions of a perithecium, is always present.

From Fungi: Their Nature and Uses by Cooke, M. C. (Mordecai Cubitt)