heterothallic

[ het-er-uh-thal-ik ]

adjective

, Mycology.

1. having mycelia of two unlike types, both of which must participate in the sexual process. Compare homothallic ( def 1 ).
2. dioecious.

heterothallic

/ ˌhɛtərəʊˈθælɪk /

adjective

1. (of some algae and fungi) having male and female reproductive organs on different thalli
2. (of some fungi) having sexual reproduction that occurs only between two self-sterile mycelia

Derived Forms

• ˌheteroˈthallism, noun

Other Words From

• heter·o·thallism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of heterothallic¹

First recorded in 1900–05; hetero- + thallic

Word History and Origins

Origin of heterothallic¹

C20: from hetero- + Greek thallos green shoot, young twig

Example Sentences

This has now been explained by Blakeslee, who finds that the Mucorinae can be divided into two groups, termed homothallic and heterothallic respectively.

From Project Gutenberg

The majority of forms, however, fall into the heterothallic group, in which the association of branches from two mycelia different in nature is necessary for the formation of zygospores.

From Project Gutenberg