∞ generated and posted on 2016.08.31 ∞
Tangled masses of hyphae.
When fungi or fungus-like organisms, particularly molds or macrofungi (a.k.a., fleshy fungi), nutritively exploit carbon and energy sources, they grow upon as well as invade those substances as hyphae. Success results in the generation of substantial numbers of branched hyphae that have grown in multiple directions, into what appears to be a jumbled mass, though which will not be visible if it is found within a substrate.
Mycelia also can be thought of as the vegetative growth displayed by fungi, as involved in nutrient acquisition, and which contrasts with the sexual or otherwise reproductive growth that instead is involved in spore formation and release.