fruiting body

American  

noun

1. an organ that produces spores; fructification.

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fruiting body British  

noun

1. Also: fruit body.  the part of a fungus in which the spores are produced

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fruiting body Scientific  

/ fro̅o̅′tĭng /

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

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Etymology

Origin of fruiting body

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Times that he now disagrees with his longtime friend Stamets’ appraisal of the potential benefits, and today recommends people use fruiting body products.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2025

"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 • Feb. 1, 2024

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 • Jan. 8, 2024

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 • Sep. 1, 2023

I look at the page, where the life cycle of the mushroom from spore to fruiting body is taking shape, and I know this with absolute certainty.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood