What is "sterigma"

n. 1 (context biology English) A slim projecting part of the basidium of some species of fungi that carries the basidiospore. 2 (context biology English) A woody projection from the tip of the leaf base in certain conifers (''Picea'' and ''Tsuga'').

In biology, a sterigma (pl. sterigmata) is a small supporting structure.

It commonly refers to an extension of the basidium (the spore-bearing cells) consisting of a basal filamentous part and a slender projection which carries a spore at the tip. The sterigmata are formed on the basidium as it develops and undergoes meiosis, to result in the production of (typically) four nuclei. The nuclei gradually migrate to the tips of the basidium, and one nucleus will migrate into each spore that develops at the tip of each sterigma.

In less common usage, a sterigma is a structure within the posterior end of the genitalia of female Lepidoptera.

It also refers to the stem-like structure, also called a "woody peg" at the base of the leaves of some, but not all conifers, specifically Picea and Tsuga.