sclerotium

[skli-roh-shee-uhm]

noun

Mycology.

plural

sclerotia 

1. a vegetative, resting food-storage body in certain higher fungi, composed of a compact mass of hardened mycelia.

sclerotium

/ sklɪəˈrəʊʃɪəm /

noun

1. a compact mass of hyphae, that is formed by certain fungi and gives rise to new fungal growth or spore-producing structures

Other Word Forms

• sclerotial adjective
• sclerotioid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sclerotium¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1810–20; sclerotin, -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of sclerotium¹

C18: from New Latin, from Greek sklēros hard

Example Sentences

Experts say these formations, called sclerotia, can exist for years, but the fruiting bodies desired by mushroom pickers appear only when conditions are right, and that might not be for decades.

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Experts say these formations, called sclerotia, can exist for years, but the fruiting bodies desired by mushroom pickers only appear when conditions are right, and that might not be for decades.

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Ergot is the name given to the spore, the sclerotium, of the parasitic filamentous fungus Claviceps purpurea, which attacks various cereal grains and wild grasses, especially rye.

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The wilting and shrivelling of Clover is sometimes due to Sclerotinia, the mycelium of which pervades the roots and stock, on which the sclerotia may be found.

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The various sclerotia, if kept moist, give rise to the fructifications of the fungi concerned, much as a potato tuber does to a potato plant, and in the same way the reserve materials are consumed.

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