my·cor·rhi·za or my·co·rhi·za (m  k -r z)n. pl. my·cor·rhi·zae or my·co·rhi·zae (-z  ) or my·cor·rhi·zas or my·co·rhi·zas The symbiotic association of the mycelium of a fungus with the roots of certain plants, such as conifers, beeches, or orchids. [myco- + Greek rhiza, root; see wr  d- in Indo-European roots.]my cor·rhizal adj. |
mycorrhiza, mycorhiza [ˌmaɪkəˈraɪzə]
n pl -zae [-ziː], -zas
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Botany) an association of a fungus and a plant in which the fungus lives within or on the outside of the plant's roots forming a symbiotic or parasitic relationship See ectotrophic mycorrhiza, endotrophic mycorrhiza
[from myco- + Greek rhiza root]
mycorrhizal , mycorhizal adj
| mycorrhiza (mk-rz) The symbiotic association of the mycelium of a fungus with the roots of plants. The majority of vascular plants have mycorrhizae. The fungus assists in the absorption of minerals and water from the soil and defends the roots from other fungi and nematodes, while the plant provides carbohydrates to the fungus. There are two kinds of mycorrhizae: endomycorrhizae, in which the fungal hyphae enter the cells of the root cortex, and ectomycorrhizae, in which they surround the cells. |
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