noun
mucor; pin mold
A genus of fungi commonly found in soil and on decaying organic matter; often referred to as pin mold. Used in biological and mycological contexts.
ケカビは湿ったパンによく生える。
Mucor often grows on damp bread.
この寒天培地にケカビの胞子を植え付けた。
We inoculated this agar medium with mucor spores.
カビ is the general term for mold or mildew, while ケカビ refers specifically to the genus Mucor.
The name ケカビ (毛黴) literally means 'hair mold', likely from the fuzzy appearance of the mold. The exact derivation is uncertain.