PollyMapPleospora mold spore photographed through the microscope in the PollyKit lab.
More verified photos of Pleospora
About pleospora ascospores
Multi-chambered brown ascospores released from plant debris, typically after rain.
Where it grows
- Dead stems and leaves
- Grass and crop residue
- Soil and mulch
How to recognize it
Yellow-brown to dark brown spore divided by several crosswise walls plus at least one lengthwise wall, producing a brick-like grid of cells.
Typical published size: 25–50 µm
Commonly confused with
- Alternaria — beaked and club-shaped
- Bipolaris — crosswalls only
Allergy relevance
Part of the wet-weather ascospore load that can aggravate mold-sensitive rhinitis and asthma, usually peaking overnight and after rain.
Where it's found
Worldwide.
Also searched as: pleospora spore, pleospora ascospore, mold ascospore.
Related mold specimens
Citing this specimen: PollyMap Specimen Library. “Pleospora — verified microscope specimen.” pollymap.com/library/specimen/pleospora-mold-spore-b5a435
Expert discussion
No published comments yet. If you study palynology or mycology, we'd value your read on this specimen.