What does teliospore mean?
A teliospore is a specialized thick-walled spore produced by certain fungi, especially rust fungi. It functions as a resting or survival stage: rather than germinate immediately, it remains dormant through conditions that would interrupt fungal growth and can later germinate when conditions become favorable. In typical rust fungi, nuclear fusion occurs in the developing teliospore, and meiosis generally follows during germination. The term is therefore specialized and is primarily used in mycology and plant pathology. In general writing, it is useful chiefly for the precision of its contrast with an ordinary spore: a teliospore is distinguished not merely by being a spore but by its durability and its position in a fungal life cycle. It appears in technical descriptions of teliospore formation, germination, walls, and survival.
nounA thick-walled resting spore, typically produced at the end of a fungal life cycle and able to survive unfavorable conditions. Teliospores are especially characteristic of rust fungi and germinate when conditions permit the life cycle to continue.
- A thick-walled resting or survival spore produced by fungi, especially rust fungi, typically as part of the final stage of the life cycle.
"The rust fungus forms teliospores in late summer, allowing them to survive the winter."
"The rust fungus forms teliospores in late summer, allowing them to survive the winter."
"Broad, two-celled teliospores are useful diagnostic features in rust-fungus identification."
The standard plural is formed by adding -s.
"The teliospores germinated after the onset of favorable weather."
A teliospore is a fungal time capsule: built to endure, it can wait through hostile seasons before germinating into the next stage of life.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of teliospore
The word comes through scientific Latin from Greek telos, meaning “end,” and spore, ultimately from Greek sporos, meaning “seed.” The “end” element refers to the terminal stage of the fungal life cycle. The alternative technical form teleutospore belongs to the same scientific tradition and expresses the same concept of a final spore.
Related word forms
How teliospore is actually used
A specialized mycology and plant-pathology term, used most often for the thick-walled spores produced by rust fungi. It is rarely used in general prose.
Easily confused with teliospore
A teliospore is an individual spore, whereas a teliosporangium is the spore-bearing structure in which teliospores develop.