ascogonium
|as-co-go-ni-um|
🇺🇸
/ˌæs.kəˈɡoʊ.niəm/
🇬🇧
/ˌæs.kəˈɡəʊ.niəm/
reproductive sac/cell (fungi)
Etymology
'ascogonium' originates from New Latin, ultimately from Greek elements 'askos' meaning 'bag, sac' and 'gonos' meaning 'seed, offspring'.
'ascogonium' was formed in scientific New Latin by combining Greek roots 'askos' + 'gonos' (through formations like Latin 'ascus' meaning 'sac') and was adopted into mycological terminology in modern scientific usage.
Initially a compound literally meaning 'sac-seed' (a sac related to reproduction); over time it came to denote specifically the female reproductive organ (gametangium) in ascomycete fungi.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the female gametangium (female reproductive organ) of certain fungi, especially ascomycetes; a sac-like structure that produces or receives male nuclei and is involved in the formation of asci.
Under the microscope the researcher identified an ascogonium on the hypha, indicating sexual development.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/27 01:26