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Glite Dictionary
conidiophore

conidiophore

1 9.9
A stalk-like part of a fungus that makes and holds asexual spores called conidia
  • noun
  • /kəˈnɪdiəˌfɔr/
  • Specialized
: conidióforo
  • In this particular fungus, each conidiophore emerges from the surface and releases spores into the air.

Examples

  • Under the microscope, the distinct shape of the conidiophore helped identify the fungal species.

  • The presence of conidiophores in the auditory canal suggests that the fungi use the discharged mucus as a nutrient.

    Academic text (2008)

  • The scientist observed that the conidiophore was responsible for producing numerous conidia.

Surface Forms

conidiophore singular
conidiophores plural

Morphology

conidiophore = conidium (opaque) = conidium + phore

The formation is a regular scientific combination (conidium + '-phore' meaning 'bearing'), but both elements are technical combining forms not familiar to average learners.

Etymology

Conidiophore comes from two parts: conidi- from the Greek konis meaning 'dust' and -phore meaning 'to carry' or 'bear'. So a conidiophore is like a tiny 'dust-carrier' — a stalk that holds or carries the small asexual spores of a fungus.