cleistothecium

or clis·to·the·ci·um

[ klahy-stuh-thee-shee-uh m, -see-uh m ]
/ ˌklaɪ stəˈθi ʃi əm, -si əm /

noun, plural cleis·to·the·ci·a [klahy-stuh-thee-shee-uh, -see-uh] /ˌklaɪ stəˈθi ʃi ə, -si ə/.

(in certain ascomycetous fungi) a closed, globose ascocarp from which the ascospores are released only by its rupture or decay.

Origin of cleistothecium

Scientific definitions for cleistothecium

cleistothecium
[ klī′stə-thēsē-əm ]

Plural cleistothecia

A closed spherical ascocarp, such as the truffle.