Spore discharge in Epicoccum nigrum

Light and scanning electron microscopy of Epicoccum aleuriospores substantiate reports that these spores are forcibly released. Our observations of thin, protruding cross walls between the stalk and adjoining basal cell of the spore, and the circumscissile fracture of the rough outer sheath of the stalk are indicative of an active mechanism of spore release in Epicoccum rather than the passive, lytic mechanism suggested by other workers.