ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈthēs(h)ēəm noun
( plural endothe·cia -ēə)
Etymology: New Latin, from end- + -thecium
1. : the middle of the three layers making up the young anther wall of a flowering plant that becomes the innermost layer in the mature anther upon disintegration of the original inner wall cells
2. : the central mass of cells within the young sporophyte in mosses and liverworts that develops into sporogenous tissue — compare amphithecium