Basidiomycetous endophytes from the roots of neotropical epiphytic Orchidaceae
Richardson, K.A.; Currah, R.S.; Hambleton, S., 1993: Basidiomycetous endophytes from the roots of neotropical epiphytic Orchidaceae. Lindleyana 8(3): 127-137
Roots of 59 species of epiphytic orchids native to La Selva, Costa Rica were surveyed for mycorrhizal fungi. Twenty-three species had pelotons in cleared and stained root squashes and five species (Campylocentrum micranthum, Catasetum maculatum. Octomeria sp., Oncidium stenotis and Rodriguezia compacta) yielded basidiomycetous endophytes, Two of these have clamped hyphae; one has produced small, brown-spored basidiocarps assignable to Melanotus alpiniae (Agaricales) and the other has remained sterile. The remaining fungi lack clamp connections and are orchidaceous rhizoctonias similar to those isolated from terrestrial orchids. Based on colony and mycelial characteristics. these isolates are described under the generic names Moniliopsis and Ceratorhiza.