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basidium

(bə sid′ē əm)

noun pl. basidia

Bot. any of a number of oblong cells in basidiomycetous fungi, bearing a definite number of external spores (usually four) on short, slender stalks

Origin: ModL < Gr basis, basis + ModL dim. suffix -idium

Related Forms:

basidial adjective

See basidium in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. ba·sid·i·a (-ē-ə)

A small, specialized club-shaped structure typically bearing four basidiospores at the tips of minute projections. The basidium is unique to basidiomycetes and distinguishes them from other kinds of fungi.

Origin:

Origin: bas(i)-

Origin: + Latin -idium, diminutive suff. (from Greek -idion)

Related Forms:

ba·sidˈi·al adjective

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