Ectomycorrhizal Fungi of Tsuga heterophylla

Abstract

Fifty fungi [Agaricales, Gasteromycetes, Ascomycetes] were demonstrated to form ectomycorrhizae in pure culture synthesis with western hemlock. More than 100 additional fungi are reported to be probable mycorrhiza formers with various hemlock species. Few seem to be host specific to hemlock. Little selection pressure towards evolution of fungal-host specificity appears to exist with hosts such as hemlock, which commonly become established in the understory of established stands of other species.