Sporocarp (fungi)

The sporocarp (also known as the fruiting body or the fruit body) of a fungus is a multicellular structure on which spore-producing structures, such as basidia or asci, are born. Mushrooms are sporocarps that grow above ground. Truffles are sporocarps that grow underground.

The largest known fruiting body is the Fomitiporia ellipsoidea species, found on Hainan Island. The species can measure up to 1,085 centimetres (427 in) in length, and is estimated to weigh between 400 and 500 kilograms (880 and 1,100 lb).^[1][2]

References

1. Cui, B.-K.; Dai, Y.-C. (2011). "Fomitiporia ellipsoidea has the largest fruiting body among the fungi". Fungal Biology. 115 (9): 813–814. doi:10.1016/j.funbio.2011.06.008. PMID 21872178.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
2. Walker, M. (1 August 2011). "Giant fungus discovered in China". Nature. BBC. Archived from the original on 2018-09-05. Retrieved 2012-09-19.

Bibliography

• Zabowski, D.; Zasoski, R. J.; Littke, W.; Ammirati, J. (1990). "Metal content of fungal sporocarps from urban, rural, and sludge-treated sites". Journal of Environmental Quality. 19 (3): 372–377. doi:10.2134/jeq1990.00472425001900030004x.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)