What is "apothecium"

Apothecium \Apo`*the"ci*um\, n.; pl. Apothecia. [NL.] (Bot.) The ascigerous fructification of lichens, forming masses of various shapes.

n. (label en lichenology) The ascigerous fructification of lichens, forming masses of various shapes.

1. n. a cuplike ascocarp in many lichens and ascomycetous fungi

2. [also: apothecia (pl)]