rhizomorph

[ rahy-zuh-mawrf ]

noun

, Mycology.

1. a cordlike fusion of hyphae that leads certain fungi across various substrates like a root through soil.

rhizomorph

/ ˈraɪzəʊˌmɔːf /

noun

1. a rootlike structure of certain fungi, such as the honey fungus Armillaria mellea , consisting of a dense mass of hyphae

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhizomorph¹

First recorded in 1840–50; rhizo- + -morph

Example Sentences

“So there’s a lot of demolition. A lot of the wood is fairly destroyed. Then you need to track down the rhizomorphs, the roots that are pulling in the water, usually from the soil.”

From Washington Post

Black, stringy rhizomorphs grow through the soil into the roots and trunk of the tree and attack the wood.

From New York Times

Vargas, R. & Allen, M. F. Dynamics of fine root, fungal rhizomorphs, and soil respiration in a mixed temperate forest: integrating sensors and observations.

From Nature

Muskat found a rhizomorph at the bottom of our tree, but the healthy-looking wood and the dead-looking mushroom suggested it wouldn’t glow.

From Seattle Times

Mr. Muskat found a rhizomorph at the bottom of our tree, but the healthy-looking wood and the dead-looking mushroom suggested it wouldn’t glow.

From New York Times