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.
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Landcare Research – Manaaki Whenua
Photograph by Peter Buchanan
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