noun
- The female reproductive organ in ascomycete fungi that receives the male gamete during sexual reproduction.
Usage: mycology; technical; plural: ascogonia
Examples
- The ascogonium develops into the ascus after fertilization by the antheridium.
- In cup fungi, the ascogonium is located at the base of the fruiting body.
- The ascogonium receives the nucleus from the male gamete during sexual reproduction.
- Mycologists study the ascogonium to understand ascomycete life cycles.