What is the club-shaped spore-bearing structure of mushrooms called?

The club-shaped spore-bearing structure of mushrooms is called a basidium. This specialized structure is crucial to the reproductive process of certain fungi, particularly those belonging to the Basidiomycota division, which includes well-known mushrooms. The basidium typically bears spores on its surface, which are released into the environment to facilitate the reproduction of the fungus.

In the lifecycle of these fungi, the basidium plays a significant role by forming basidiospores through meiosis, leading to genetic diversity in the population. The presence of these club-like structures is a key characteristic that helps in identifying various mushroom species and understanding their reproductive strategies.

The other terms, such as hyphae, mycelium, and cap, refer to different fungal structures or components. Hyphae are the filamentous strands that make up the body of the fungus, while mycelium is the network of these hyphae, serving as the vegetative part. The cap is often the umbrella-shaped top of the mushroom, which can include the gills or pores where the basidia are located, but it is not the spore-bearing structure itself.