Mycelium is the vegetative structure of a fungus and is made up of thin, tube-like structures called hyphae that grow under or on top of the soil in a net-like pattern. If allowed to grow unhindered, mycelium can grow to breathtaking sizes. The largest known mycelium to-date is located in Michigan and covers the equivalent of about 40 acres just under the soil surface. The mycellium is responsible for collecting nutrients to produce hyphae and fruiting bodies (mushrooms!), which release spores that will develop into new mycelium.
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