Mycelium: The vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a network of branching, thread-like hyphae.
Mycelium is essentially the “root system” of a fungus, although it’s not made of roots in the same way as plants. It’s a network of fine, thread-like structures called hyphae that spread out and branch through the soil or other growing medium. This network is the main body of the fungus, and it’s responsible for absorbing nutrients and water.
Think of mushrooms as the “flowers” of the fungus. They pop up above ground for reproduction, while the mycelium remains hidden below, working hard to break down organic matter and recycle nutrients. Mycelium plays a vital role in the ecosystem, and it’s also important for some plants, forming symbiotic relationships with their roots that help them absorb nutrients.
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