Story: Fungi

Beneficial fungus

Beneficial fungus

Many fungi form a close, beneficial relationship with the roots of plants. These fungi are known as mycorrhizal. Their spreading threads or hyphae increase the surface area available to the roots for absorbing nutrients, especially phosphorus. The fungus benefits by getting sugars from the plant. This mushroom is Amanita nothofagi, which lives in association with mānuka and southern beech trees.

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Landcare Research – Manaaki Whenua
Photograph by Peter Buchanan

© Copyright image. All rights reserved. Permission from Manaaki Whenua: Landcare Research New Zealand Limited must be obtained before the re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Peter Buchanan, 'Fungi - Mycorrhizal fungi', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/11577/beneficial-fungus (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Peter Buchanan, published 24 Sep 2007