Plural of gonidium; reproductive cells or structures in lichens, algae, and some fungi that function in asexual reproduction and dispersal.
From Greek 'gonia' (generation) plus the diminutive suffix -ia. Gonidia are the plural form, historically used before the term 'gonids' became more common.
Gonidia proved that lichens are actually two organisms in one—when scientists separated the fungal part from the algal part, gonidia showed they could reproduce independently!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.