What is "ostiole"

Ostiole \Os"ti*ole\, n. [L. ostiolum a little door, dim. of ostium a door: cf. F. ostiole.] (Bot.)

1. The exterior opening of a stomate. See Stomate.

2. Any small orifice.

n. 1 (context mycology English) A small hole or opening through which certain fungi release their mature spores. 2 (context botany English) A similar hole or opening in plants, such as the opening of the involuted fig inflorescence through which fig wasps enter to pollinate and breed.

n. a small pore especially one in the reproductive bodies of certain algae and fungi through which spores pass

An ostiole is a small hole or opening through which algae or fungi release their mature spores. The term is also used in higher plants, for example to denote the opening of the involuted fig inflorescence through which fig wasps enter to pollinate and breed.