What is a spore-bearing branch found in fungi called?

The term for a spore-bearing branch found in fungi is "sporophore." This specialized structure is responsible for producing and releasing spores, which are crucial for the reproductive cycle of fungi. Sporophores can vary in form and function across different fungal species, but their primary role is to facilitate reproduction and dispersal of spores into the environment.

In contrast, conidiophores specifically refer to a type of sporophore that produces conidia, which are asexual spores. Sporangiophores also serve as structures that bear spores, but they specifically carry sporangia, which are spore cases containing spores within. Hyphae are the filamentous structures that make up the body of a fungus, and while they play a role in growth and nutrient absorption, they are not primarily responsible for spore production. This delineation of functions among various fungal structures highlights why "sporophore" is the accurate term for a general spore-bearing branch.