What is the mass of hyphae that makes up the body of a fungus called?

The mass of hyphae that composes the body of a fungus is known as mycelia. Mycelia are typically found underground or within the substrate where the fungus feeds, and they play a crucial role in the growth and nutrient absorption of fungi. This structure allows fungi to have a vast network for efficiently breaking down organic material, which supports their role as decomposers in ecosystems.

The other terms, while related to fungi, refer to different aspects. The fruiting body refers to the reproductive structure that produces spores, and it is usually the part of the fungus that is visible above ground, like a mushroom. A stolon is a type of stem or shoot that grows along the ground, mainly associated with certain types of plants or fungi but not specifically the mass of hyphal tissue. A hyphal network is a general term that can refer to the interconnected system of hyphae, but it is not the specific term for the mass itself. Thus, mycelia is the precise term for the body of the fungus.