fruiting bodies

Fungal reproductive organs

Fruiting bodies are the reproductive structures of fungi—the visible parts that emerge to produce and release spores.

Mushrooms are the most familiar fruiting bodies, though the term covers diverse forms: puffballs, brackets, truffles.

The main organism lives hidden as a network of filaments in soil or wood; the fruiting body is just its temporary spore-dispersing apparatus.

fungal

mushrooms

Spore-bearing fruiting bodies

sporesAsexual reproductive bodies
myceliumFungal filament network
gillsAquatic respiratory organs

cap · stipe · pileus · lamella · hyphae · polypore · agaric · bolete · chanterelle · morel

reproduction

spores

Asexual reproductive bodies

seedsPlant embryos in casings
germinationSeed's initial growth phase
propagationAct of spreading widely

dispersal · pollination · fertilization · dissemination · sporulation · offspring · spread · colonization · lifecycle · maturation

botanical

seeds

Plant embryos in casings

ovaryFemale reproductive gland
berrySmall edible fruit
drupeSeed-bearing fleshy fruit

pome · capsule · pod · achene · samara · nut · cone · aggregate · accessory · fleshy

Opposites

organism structure/function

fruiting bodiesmycelium

Fungal filament network

hyphae · thallus · root system · mycelia

Family

fruit, fruitful, fruitless, fruiting, fruitfully, unfruitful, fruitfulness, fruitiness, fruitier

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G