Biology:Ostiole

Short description: Small hole in algae, fungi or plants

The earthstar fungus Myriostoma coliforme has multiple ostioles through which spores are released.

An ostiole is a small hole or opening through which algae or fungi release their mature spores.

The word is a diminutive of "ostium", "opening".

Cross-section of the syconium of a female creeping fig. The green, bract-lined ostiole at the bottom admits wasp pollinators.

The term is also used in higher plants, for example to denote the opening of the involuted syconium (fig inflorescence) through which fig wasps enter to pollinate and breed.

Sometimes a stomatal aperture is called an "ostiole".

See also

• Ostium (disambiguation)