conidium

These spores are conidia, asexually-produced reproductive cells, and are termed a Stage I infection.

The fungus reproduces asexually, “meaning it makes a type of spore called a conidium,” Flaherty says.

Bees have been shown to carry the spores of Sclerotinia and infect the stigmas of Bilberries, etc., with them; and flies convey the conidia of Ergot from grain to grain.

Pythium is of interest as illustrating the dependence of zoospore-formation on conditions and the indeterminate nature of conidia.

The spores of Ferns, ascospores, and some conidia are also liberated explosively.