Coninidia

/kəˌnɪnɪˈdiːə/ noun

Definition

Plural of conidium; asexual spores produced by certain fungi and molds that help them spread and reproduce.

Etymology

From Greek 'konis' (dust) plus the diminutive suffix '-idium,' literally meaning 'little dust particles,' because under a microscope these spores look like fine dust.

Kelly Says

Conidiospores are nature's way of making copies without a mate—fungi spray millions of these dust-like spores into the air, which is why mold spreads so fast and why bread left out starts growing fuzzy fuzz everywhere!

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