shelf fungus
- noun
- /ʃɛlf ˈfʌŋɡəs/
- I found a beautiful shelf fungus on the old oak tree.
Examples
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We found a striking shelf fungus growing out of an old stump in the forest.
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The fallen tree was covered in shelf fungus, giving it an almost sculptural look.
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Some types of shelf fungus can live for many years on a host tree.
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The shelf fungi on the log were quite colorful.
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In the forest, I spotted a beautiful shelf fungus growing on the side of an oak tree.
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The shelf fungus created a striking display on the fallen log, adding beauty to the forest floor.
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During our hike, we came across a large shelf fungus that resembled a wooden shelf attached to the tree.
Synonyms
A fungus that makes hard shelf shapes on tree trunks and other wood
How Big
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning ‘a fungus that forms shelf-like structures’ is directly and transparently derived from combining 'shelf' (a horizontal board/ledge) with 'fungus' (a type of organism). This compound/attributive pattern (modifier + noun) is a common and predictable English formation, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will understand the MWE.
Etymology
Shelf fungus is named for how the fungus grows: it forms thin, flat growths that stick out from tree trunks like little shelves. That's why the name shows it is a 'woody fungus' that makes shelf-like growths on wood.