Mycorrhiza

A mycorrhiza (typically seen inplural form mycorrhizae meaning "fungus roots") isspecialized formhyphae that extends frommycelium offungus intoroots ofplant.

Mycorrhizae formmutualistic symbiotic relationship withroots95%all vascular plants. This association providesfungus withrenewable sourcefood,allowsplantmake use ofmycelium's tremendous surface areaabsorb nutrients fromsoil. Some ofearliest fossil plants show evidencemycorrhizae associatedthem.

Some mycorrhizal hyphae enter withinplant cell's wallgrowenvelopcell. However, most mycorrhizae havemore advanced structure,whichhypha lives inside an extensive invagination (inpocketing) ofcell membrane.