perithecium

[ per-uh-thee-shee-uhm, -shuhm, -see-uhm ]

noun

, Mycology.

, plural per·i·the·ci·a [per-, uh, -, thee, -shee-, uh, -sh, uh, -see-, uh].

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

perithecium

/ ˌpɛrɪˈθiːsɪəm /

noun

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

perithecium

/ 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).

Other Words From

• peri·theci·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of perithecium¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of perithecium¹

C19: from New Latin, from peri- + Greek thēkē case

Example Sentences

In ascomycetes that build their asci inside flask-like structures called perithecia or pseudothecia, the asci take turns snaking to the little opening, poking themselves out, and firing.

From Scientific American

Epichloë, which clothes the sheaths and halms of grasses with its stroma, at first snowy white and later ochre-yellow as the perithecia form, is another example.

From Project Gutenberg

Stroma, strō′ma, n. the subtentacular tissue or substance of an organ or cell: in fungi, the substance in which the perithecia are immersed: the solid mass left after all liquid is expressed from protoplasm.—adjs.

From Project Gutenberg

D, The same, beginning to be surrounded by the hyphae forming the perithecium wall.

From Project Gutenberg

Example, Common Puff Ball.Coniomycetes, in which the spores are naked, mostly terminal on inconspicuous threads, free or enclosed in a perithecium.

From Project Gutenberg