PollyMapAscospore mold spore photographed through the microscope in the PollyKit lab — verified in Arizona.
More verified photos of Ascospore
About ascospores
Spores fired from sac fungi, which surge in the air during and after rain and often can't be named below group level.
Where it grows
- Leaf litter, wood and dung
- Diseased plant tissue
- Soil and compost
How to recognize it
Highly variable — colourless to brown, single-celled or multi-chambered, smooth or ornamented. Shape alone often allows only a group-level call, which is why we publish these as ascospores.
Typical published size: 5–50 µm
Commonly confused with
- Basidiospores — asymmetric with a small attachment peg
- Smut spores — thicker, darker walls
Allergy relevance
Collectively significant during humid and rainy periods, when total spore counts can exceed pollen counts and trigger asthma symptoms.
Where it's found
PollyMap has verified specimens of Ascospore from Arizona.
Worldwide.
Also searched as: ascospore, ascospores under microscope, rain mold spore.
Related mold specimens
Citing this specimen: PollyMap Specimen Library. “Ascospore — verified microscope specimen.” pollymap.com/library/specimen/ascospore-mold-spore-5d295d
Expert discussion
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