Orchid mycorrhizae have a symbiotic relationships between the roots of plants of the family Orchidaceae and a variety of fungi. All orchids need this relationship at some point in their life cycle. Many adult orchids retain their fungal symbionts throughout their life, although the benefits to ...more ↓
Orchid mycorrhizae have a symbiotic relationships between the roots of plants of the family Orchidaceae and a variety of fungi. All orchids need this relationship at some point in their life cycle. Many adult orchids retain their fungal symbionts throughout their life, although the benefits to the adult photosynthetic orchid and the fungus remain largely unexplained. What we do know is that these specialised ecological interactions (eg with mycorrhizae and/or pollinators) is vital to the survival of species such as orchids and is commonly mutual. These relationships and the high levels of geographic endemism mean that orchids are likely to be the first to decline in a degraded environment.
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Orchid Watch Porongurup
