propagule

noun

Etymology: See propagate and -ule.

1. A reproductive particle released by an organism in order to propagate itself, by means such as dispersal or infection, to the next stage in its life cycle. E.g., seeds, spores, endospores, microbial cysts, etc.

   “1989, Discovery and Innovation, Volumes 1-2, Academy Science Publishers, page 90, Propagule size could be one of these silvical characteristics.”

   “In many combinations of fungi and soils more than one method of estimating propagules will need to be used to provide a valid test of propagule numbers.”