Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
🍄 Spore structure 🌿 Fern spore cluster
sorus

sorus

1 9.9
A small part of some lichens or fungi that makes spores
  • noun
  • /ˈsɔrəs/
  • Specialized
: sorus
  • In certain fungi, the sorus produces spores essential for reproduction.

Examples

  • Also, a layer to protect the sorus, e.g., "In fungi and lichens, the sorus is surrounded by an external layer" (indusium gresium).

    Blog text (19)

  • Also, a layer to protect the sorus, e.g., "In fungi and lichens, the sorus is surrounded by an external layer" (indusium gresium).

    Blog text (19)

  • The sorus can be found on the underside of some lichen species.

  • Observing the sorus under a microscope reveals its complex spore structure.

Synonyms

sporangium
vssorus
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A small part in fungi or some plants that makes and holds spores

is limited to specific lichens and fungi rather than broader groups

Surface Forms

sorus singular
sori plural

Etymology

The word sorus comes from the Greek word soros, meaning 'heap' or 'pile', because it is a small cluster where spores gather. So a sorus in fungi and lichens is like a little 'heap' of spore-making parts.