Compost fungi. Coloured scanning electron micrograph of the fruiting bodies of a fungus growing in a compost heap. Compost is made by allowing a heap of vegetable trimmings, non- seeding weed plants and grass mowings to degrade. The resulting brown, crumbly compost is dug into soil to provide plants with nutrients. Saprophytic fungi play an important role in the degradation of the plant material. Here, hyphae (long) and fruiting bodies (round) of a saprophytic fungus are seen. The fruiting bodies contain the spores. Magnification: x1,000 at 6x6cm size.