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, including boreal forests, bogs, and heathlands. Molecular clock estimates suggest that the symbiosis originated approximately 140 million years ago.
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Ericoid mycorrhiza in the context of Arbuscular mycorrhiza
An arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) (plural mycorrhizae) is a type of mycorrhiza in which the symbiont fungus (Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, or AMF) penetrates the cortical cells of the roots of a vascular plant forming arbuscules. Arbuscular mycorrhiza is a type of endomycorrhiza along with ericoid mycorrhiza and orchid mycorrhiza (not to be confused with ectomycorrhiza). They are characterized by the formation of unique tree-like structures, the arbuscules. In addition, globular storage structures called vesicles are often encountered.
Arbuscular mycorrhizae are formed by fungi in the subphylum Glomeromycotina and some fungi from the Mucoromycotina. These subphyla, along with the Mortierellomycotina, form the phylum Mucoromycota, a sister clade of the more well-known and diverse dikaryan fungi.
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