Download Myco-heterotrophs

Myco-heterotrophs
A myco-heterotroph is a plant that does not
contain chlorophyll and gets its nutrition by
a parasitic relationship with a fungus.
There are over 85 Genera containing mycoheterotrophic species.
Monotropa uniflora
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Myco-heterotrophs
Pine saps (Monotropa hypopithys) stems often
have a red coloration and multiple flowers per
stalk. It has a parasitic relationship with
mycorrhizae fungi, which in turn have a symbiotic
relationship with tree roots.
Therefore, it is common for myco-heterotrophs
to indirectly obtain nutrients from a plant via its
parasitism of a mycorrhizae fungus.
Monotropa hypopithys
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Myco-heterotrophs
Many of the most common mycoheterotrophs are in the Ericaceae. Indian
pipe (Monotropa uniflora) as the name
implies has a single flower per stem. They
commonly parasitize members of the
mycorrhizal Russulaceae mushroom family.
Monotropa uniflora
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Myco-heterotrophs
Members of the orchid family (Orchidaceae)
have complex interactions with fungi. Orchid
seeds lack significant storage material and
rely on fungi (Rhizoctonia sp.) to supply the
nutrition needed to complete germination.
In most cases, once germination is
completed and the seedling established, the
orchid plant becomes autotrophic obtaining
carbon from photosynthesis in green leaves
and mineral nutrition through roots.
It does however, maintain a mycorrhizal
association, which benefits both the fungus
and the orchid plant.
Orchid seed
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Myco-heterotrophs
Some orchids, such as coral root (Corallorhiza)
retain an obligate myco-heterotrophic relationship
with mycorrhizal fungi for their entire life.
Spotted coral root
Corallorhiza maculata
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Myco-heterotrophs
There is another group of plants that are
partial myco-heterotrophs . These plants
produce photosynthetic leaves but
partially rely on fungal parasitism to
supplement their food supply.
Shinleaf (Pyrola elliptica)
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Myco-heterotrophs
One-flowered wintergreen (Moneses uniflora)
is another partial myco-heterotroph.
Moneses uniflora
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