AuthorLeake, J.R.
Year2005
TitlePlants parasitic on fungi: unearthing the fungi in myco-heterotrophs and debunking the "saprophytic" plant myth
TypePaper
SourceMycologist Vol 19 (3): 113-122.
IllustrationsColour photographs
Review (by Malcolm Storey)

Shows that the plants formerly considered saprophytes are in reality parasitic on fungi.

A wide range of plant and fungal taxa are mentioned.

Most orchids are myco-heterotrophs in their early stages, but isotopic and molecular studies have shown some green species to remain myco-heterotrophs when mature.

Notes & PurposeStatusTaxonEnglishClassification
CurrentTubera genus of trufflesFungi: Pezizales: Tuberaceae
CurrentCortinariuswebcap toadstoolsFungi: Agaricales: Cortinariaceae
CurrentInocybefibrecap toadstoolsFungi: Agaricales: Inocybaceae
CurrentHymenogastera genus of trufflesFungi: Agaricales: Strophariaceae
CurrentTricholomaknight toadstoolsFungi: Agaricales: Tricholomataceae
CurrentRhizopogonbeard trufflesFungi: Boletales: Rhizopogonaceae
CurrentThanatephorusa genus of basidiomycete fungiFungi: Cantharellales: Ceratobasidiaceae
CurrentTulasnellaa genus of basidiomycete fungiFungi: Cantharellales: Tulasnellaceae
CurrentGautieriaa genus of false trufflesFungi: Gomphales: Gomphaceae
CurrentRussulabrittlegill toadstools, russulasFungi: Russulales: Russulaceae
CurrentThelephoraearthfansFungi: Thelephorales: Thelephoraceae
CurrentTomentellaa genus of mycorrhizal resupinate fungiFungi: Thelephorales: Thelephoraceae
CurrentSebacinaa genus of jelly fungiFungi: Sebacinales: Sebacinaceae
CurrentPLANTAEplants
CurrentORCHIDACEAEorchidsPlantae: Asparagales
CurrentCephalantheraCephalanthera helleborinesPlantae: Asparagales: Orchidaceae
CurrentCorallorhiza trifidaCoralroot OrchidPlantae: Asparagales: Orchidaceae
CurrentEpipactisEpipactis helleborinesPlantae: Asparagales: Orchidaceae
CurrentEpipogium aphyllumGhost OrchidPlantae: Asparagales: Orchidaceae
CurrentNeottia nidus-avisBird’s-nest OrchidPlantae: Asparagales: Orchidaceae
CurrentHypopitys monotropaYellow Bird’s-nestPlantae: Ericales: Ericaceae
CurrentAneura mirabilisGhostwortPlantae: Metzgeriales: Aneuraceae
CurrentAneura pinguisGreasewortPlantae: Metzgeriales: Aneuraceae
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