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.
Epacris pulchella, an ericoid mycorrhizal epacrid from eastern Australia.
Western Azalea, Rhododendron occidentale, a western North American ericoid mycorrhizal species.
An isolate of the ericoid mycorrhizal fungus, Gamarada debralockiae, isolated from Woollsia pungens
Cranberries, an ericoid mycorrhizal crop
The Ericaceae are a family of flowering plants, commonly known as the heath or heather family, found most commonly in acidic and infertile growing conditions. The family is large, with c. 4250 known species spread across 124 genera, making it the 14th most species-rich family of flowering plants. The many well known and economically important members of the Ericaceae include the cranberry, blueberry, huckleberry, rhododendron, and various common heaths and heathers.
Ericaceae
Flowers of Daboecia cantabrica, showing the typical fused, bell-shaped corolla