conidium

conidiumPhotomicrograph of a chain of conidia of Alternaria fungus.

conidium, a type of asexual reproductive spore of fungi (kingdom Fungi) usually produced at the tip or side of hyphae (filaments that make up the body of a typical fungus) or on special spore-producing structures called conidiophores. The spores detach when mature. They vary widely in shape, colour, and size, large ones being called macroconidia, small ones, microconidia.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.
Citation Information
Article Title: conidium
Website Name: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published: 03 March 2011
Access Date: March 14, 2025