Relating to or producing ascocarps; characteristic of fungi that reproduce through sac-like fruiting bodies containing spores.
From 'ascocarp' plus the adjectival suffix '-ous,' meaning 'having the nature of' or 'producing.' This creates an adjective describing fungi or structures that feature the ascocarp reproductive mechanism.
This adjective marks the difference between two fungal superpowers—ascocarpous fungi reproduce through sacs (clean, efficient), while basidiocarpous ones use dangling spore basidia (messier but works in wet conditions)!
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