fruiting body

noun

1. an organ that produces spores; fructification.

fruiting body

noun

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

fruiting body

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

Is it a “fruiting body,” better known as the toadstool, that emerges from the ground in a panoply of shapes and textures?

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This species is unique for the dorsal attachment of its stipe to the top of the pileus, and the abundant cystidia covering all surfaces of the fruiting body.

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"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."

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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.

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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.

Read more on Scientific American