Orchids and fungi: An unexpected case of symbiosis
Tuesday, July 12, 2011 - 11:31
in Biology & Nature
The majority of orchids are found in habitats where light may be a limiting factor. However, orchids are found in a wide range of habitats and range in their photosynthetic capabilities. For those orchids that are fully photosynthetic, and presumably capable of acquiring their own organic carbon, are they less reliant on a specific suite of mycorrhizal fungi? A new study that examines fungal diversity in orchids in open sunny habitats, questions this assumption.