fruiting body

noun

1. an organ that produces spores; fructification.

fruiting body

noun

1. the part of a fungus in which the spores are produced Alsofruit body

fruiting body

/ fro̅o̅′tĭng /

1. A specialized spore-producing structure, especially of a fungus. A mushroom is the fruiting body of a fungus.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fruiting body¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

"I was surprised to see the unusually cube-shaped ice formations on the fruiting body of this slime mould. This shot is comprised of 87 focus-bracketed images, focus-stacked together."

From BBC

The mycelium fibers from the fruiting body contain proteins, chitin, and polysaccharides, which make them ideal for making packaging materials, soundproofing, textiles, and much more.

From Science Daily

Spores from these fungi latch onto and kill their insect or arachnid prey—and then a fruiting body bursts from the corpse to spread more spores.

From Scientific American

A single fruiting body can get quite heavy and feature hundreds of distinct, smooth lobes that are free of pores or wrinkles.

From Salon

Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of the mycelium, rootlike threads that connect underground in a vast mycorrhizal matrix so complex, intelligent and essential, Mr. Stamets has called it “the neurological network of nature.”

From New York Times