cleistothecium

or clis·to·the·ci·um

[ klahy-stuh-thee-shee-uhm, -see-uhm ]

noun

, plural cleis·to·the·ci·a [klahy-st, uh, -, thee, -shee-, uh, -see-, uh].

1. (in certain ascomycetous fungi) a closed, globose ascocarp from which the ascospores are released only by its rupture or decay.

cleistothecium

/ klī′stə-thē′sē-əm /

, Plural cleistothecia

1. A closed spherical ascocarp, such as the truffle.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cleistothecium¹

cleisto- + thecium