Illustration of the condiophores of the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. Condiophores are the stalks of fungi that produce spores. The spores are called conidia and are shown as purple spheres detaching from the condiophore. Aspergillus fumigatus occurs widely in soil and organic matter and plays a role in carbon and nitrogen recycling. Spores are very common in the atmosphere, inhaled by humans every day. They can cause lung infection (aspergillosis) in immunocompromised individuals, the infection being a major cause of morbidity and mortality.