Fungal Mutualists
Ectomycorrhizal mutualists
The most common, largest, and most colourful fungi of the forests of Te Urewera in autumn are mycorrhizal mutualists. All these mycorrhizal fungi form close associations with the roots of beech trees, allowing the trees to efficiently draw nutrients from the soil.
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Dermocybe canaria (photo Peter Johnston) |
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Gallacea scleroderma (photo Peter Buchanan) |
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Austroboletus lacunosis (photo Peter Johnston) |
Beech Roots
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Ectomycorrhizal roots of red beech. (photo Peter Buchanan) |