bracket fungus

noun

plural bracket fungi
: a polypore fungus (such as chicken of the woods) that is found chiefly on the trunks and limbs of trees and that forms tough, often woody fruiting bodies which are fanlike or shelflike in form
also : the fruiting body of a bracket fungus : conk entry 3

Note: The fungus and fruiting body are also called shelf fungi.

Examples of bracket fungus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
During a night hike in the tropics of Borneo, the photographer observed a bracket fungus releasing masses of spores which caused the refraction of light, while a cockroach feeds. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bracket fungus was in 1891

Dictionary Entries Near bracket fungus

Cite this Entry

“Bracket fungus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bracket%20fungus. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

bracket fungus

noun
: a fungus that forms shelflike fruiting bodies
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