Helotiales is an order of the class Leotiomycetes within the division Ascomycota. The taxonomy within Helotiales has been debated. It has expanded significantly as genomic techniques for taxonomical identification have become more commonly used. As of February 2020, the order is estimated to contain 30 accepted families, 519 genera, and 6266 species.
Helotiales
Green Elfcup or Green Wood Cup Chlorociboria aeruginascens, family: Chlorociboriaceae (photo: Holger Krisp)
Ascocoryne, family: Helotiaceae
Mollisia benesuada, family: Dermateaceae
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
