In this article we will discuss about the structure of asexual and sexual reproductive structure of peziza.
Asexual Reproduction of Peziza:
1. Asexual reproduction takes place by conidia and chlamydospores.
2. The conidia are formed exogenously at the tip of conidiophores.
3. Conidia germinate to form the new mycelium.
4. Some intercalary, thick-walled cells are formed in the mycelium. These are chlamydospores. On germination, they form new mycelium.
Sexual Reproduction of Peziza:
1. Sexual Reproduction takes place by means of antheridium and ascogonium.
2. Sexual fusion results into a bright coloured, cup-shaped, large and sessile apothecial type of fruiting body (Figs. 89, 90).
3. In vertical section of an apothecium, following structures are visible (Fig 90).
(a) Apothecium consists of mycelium with a basal hypothecium.
(b) Hymenium region consists of many fertile asci and sterile paraphyses.
(c) Sub-hymenium is made up of pseudo- parenchymatous hyphae which later on form the peridium of the cup.
(d) In each ascus are present eight uninucleate ascospores which form the new mycelium on germination.