What is "pycnidium"

Pycnidium \Pyc*nid"i*um\, n.; pl. Pycnidia. [NL., fr. Gr. ? crowded.] (Bot.) In certain fungi, a flask-shaped cavity from the surface of the inner walls of which spores are produced.

n. In certain fungus, a flask-shaped cavity from the surface of the inner walls of which spores are produced.

1. n. flask-shaped asexual structure containing conidia

2. [also: pycnidia (pl)]

A pycnidium (plural pycnidia) is an asexual fruiting body produced by mitosporic fungi in the form order Sphaeropsidales ( Deuteromycota, Coelomycetes). It is often spherical or inversely pearshaped ( obpyriform) and its internal cavity is lined with conidiophores. When ripe, an opening generally appears at the top, through which the pycnidiospores escape.