Ericoid mycorrhiza

The ericoid mycorrhiza is a mutualistic relationship formed between members of the plant family Ericaceae and several lineages of mycorrhizal fungi.

This symbiosis represents an important adaptation to acidic and nutrient poor soils that species in the Ericaceae typically inhabit,[1] including boreal forests, bogs, and heathlands.

[2] Ericoid mycorrhizas are characterized by fungal coils that form in the epidermal cells of the fine hair roots of ericaceous species.

Evidence suggests that coils only function for a period of a few weeks before the plant cell and fungal hyphae begin to degrade.

[13][14] Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi form symbioses with several crop and ornamental species, such as blueberries, cranberries and Rhododendron.

Epacris pulchella , an ericoid mycorrhizal epacrid from eastern Australia.
Western Azalea, Rhododendron occidentale , a western North American ericoid mycorrhizal species.
An isolate of the ericoid mycorrhizal fungus, Gamarada debralockiae , isolated from Woollsia pungens [ 6 ]
Cranberries, an ericoid mycorrhizal crop
Northern highbush blueberries, Vaccinium corymbosum , an ericoid mycorrhizal crop