mycorrhiza

or my·co·rhi·za

[ mahy-kuh-rahy-zuh ]

noun

, Plant Pathology.

, plural my·cor·rhi·zae [mahy-k, uh, -, rahy, -zee], my·cor·rhi·zas.

1. a symbiotic association of the mycelium of a fungus, especially a basidiomycete, with the roots of certain plants, in which the hyphae form a closely woven mass around the rootlets or penetrate the cells of the root.

mycorrhiza

/ ˌmaɪkəˈraɪzə /

noun

1. 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

mycorrhiza

/ mī′kə-rī′zə /

1. 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.

Derived Forms

• ˌmycorˈrhizal, adjective

Other Words From

• mycor·rhizal myco·rhizal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mycorrhiza¹

First recorded in 1890–95; myco- + -rrhiza

Word History and Origins

Origin of mycorrhiza¹

C19: from myco- + Greek rhiza root

Example Sentences

In an August presentation based on the review at the International Mycorrhiza Society conference in Beijing, Dr. Karst argued that much of the evidence used to support the wood-wide web hypothesis could have other explanations.

From New York Times

In an August presentation based on the review at the International Mycorrhiza Society conference in Beijing, Dr. Karst argued that much of the evidence used to support the wood-wide web hypothesis could have other explanations.

From New York Times

For centuries, Europeans have hunted truffles with trained dogs, selling the pricey nuggets through a cryptic but robust network of traders that mirrors the underground networks of mycorrhiza.

From Washington Post

She and others have used the term "the wood-wide web" for mycorrhiza, the symbiosis of fungal hyphae and tree roots.

From Salon

Mycorrhiza, which can span several square miles, underscore the idea that fungi are a biological system — not a thing but a process that redefines the concept of the individual.

From Salon