3.4: Glomeromycota (Endomycorrhizal Fungi)

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Glomeromycota represent the endomycorrhizal fungi. These fungi form a mutualistic relationship with plant roots, forming hyphal structures within the plant cell walls. Thus, these images contain primarily plant roots. They are a mysterious bunch, though well-studied for their importance in crop production.

A cluster of tiny brown, tan, and white globose structures on what appears to be decaying wood. These are forming short stacks, unlike those in the prior image. — Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Glomus coremioides forming sporocarps, an unusual characteristic in this fungal phylum. The white to tan ones are still forming. Spores are produced within these structures. The ecology of this species is a bit mysterious. Photos by Damon Tighe, CC-BY-NC.

Cells of a plant root with globose structures (vesicles) inside them — Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): Endomycorrhizal fungi can form arbuscules (branching structures) and vesicles (globose structures). In this micrograph, a root has been stained and viewed at high magnification. The hyphal structures of the fungus can be seen within the root cells, particularly the vesicles, which stain darker. Msturmel, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

A cross section of a plant root showing branching structures within the cells — Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\): A root of a mycoheterotrophic plant, *Corallorhiza*. Arbuscules can be seen in many cells of the cortex of the plant root. Three of these arbuscules have been indicated with a note that says "cells filled with branching fungal hyphae". Photo by Melissa Ha, CC-BY-NC.