Rhizopus species are characterized by their distinct physical architecture and reproductive methods:
: Horizontal "runners" that allow the fungus to spread quickly across a surface. rhizopus
: Root-like structures that anchor the mold and absorb nutrients, a key feature distinguishing them from the similar genus Mucor . rhizopus
: A dense, cottony network of filaments (hyphae) that are usually white but turn gray or black as spores mature. rhizopus
: They reproduce asexually via spherical sporangia that release thousands of spores, and sexually through the formation of thick-walled zygospores during unfavorable conditions. Rhizopus - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics