perithecium

fruiting structure of fungi

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

A perithecium is a type of fruiting structure found in certain fungi, specifically within the phylum Ascomycota. It is a hollow, saclike structure that contains asci, which in turn bear spores. Perithecia are typically spherical or flask-shaped and possess an opening at the apex for the release of spores. This contrasts with other ascocarp forms like apothecia, which are open and disklike, and cleistothecia, which are completely enclosed and must rupture to release spores. A protoperithecium is an early stage that develops into a perithecium after fertilization.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

ascocarp
…called apothecium, cleistothecium [cleistocarp], or perithecium) contain saclike structures (asci) that usually bear four to eight ascospores. Apothecia are stalked and either disklike, saucer-shaped, or cup-shaped with exposed asci. The largest known apothecium, produced by Geopyxis cacabus, has a stalk 1 metre (40 inches) high and a cup 50 centimetres…
Read More
…called apothecium, cleistothecium [cleistocarp], or perithecium) contain saclike structures (asci) that usually bear four to eight ascospores. Apothecia are stalked and either disklike, saucer-shaped, or cup-shaped with exposed asci. The largest known apothecium, produced by Geopyxis cacabus, has a stalk 1 metre (40 inches) high and a cup 50 centimetres…
Read More