 The asci are elongated reproductive structures that bear ascospores , in groups of eight . Banksiamyces species have asci that are cylindrical to club @-@ shaped , and contain a plug at their extreme tips that will absorb color when stained with iodine . The ascospores may be arranged in one or two rows ( uniseriate and biseriate , respectively ) , or rarely , irregular . The ascospores are ellipsoid , translucent , have a slight curve and may be tapered ; most ascospores contain two oil drops . When in the ascus , the ascospores are covered with a translucent mucilage that is highly refractive to light . Paraphyses are filamentous hyphal cells present in the fertile spore @-@ bearing tissue , distributed amongst the asci . The free ends of the paraphyses fork and branch , combining with the tips of the asci to form a translucent to brown pigmented layer of tissue . 
