\Mel`an*co`ni*a"les\, n. pl. [NL., fr.
Melanconium, name of the typical genus, fr. Gr. ? black + ?
dust, in allusion to the dark spores.] (Bot.)
The smallest of the three orders of Fungi Imperfecti,
including those with no asci nor pycnidia, but as a rule
having the spores in cavities without special walls. They
cause many of the plant diseases known as anthracnose.