Protocorm
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 A tuberous mass of cells that is the embryonic form of orchids and club mosses
"Orchids rely on fungi to reproduce. Their tiny seeds don't have any on-board nutrients (like beans and apples) and will not germinate until they are infected by a symbiotic fungus which supplies them with food. Known as a protocorm, this tiny orchid-fungus ball grows, turns green and eventually starts to photosynthesise."
Example
More examples"Orchids rely on fungi to reproduce. Their tiny seeds don't have any on-board nutrients (like beans and apples) and will not germinate until they are infected by a symbiotic fungus which supplies them with food. Known as a protocorm, this tiny orchid-fungus ball grows, turns green and eventually starts to photosynthesise."
Etymology
From proto- + corm.
Related phrases
More for "protocorm"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.