Mycorrhizae Compatible Plant Species List

 What Are Mycorrhizae?


Myco, from the Greek word mýkēs, meaning “mushroom, fungus”.

Rhizae, from the Greek word rhíza, meaning “root”.  

Mycorrhizae, a root fungus, that grows in symbiosis with plants, where the fungi provide nutrients and water that the plant roots could not get on their own.  Also enabling the plant to defend against pathogenic fungi and predators.  In turn, the plant provides nutrients to the mycorrhiza through photosynthesis.  

This process is 400 million years in evolution, as shown in fossil records.  It has also been proposed that mycorrhizal fungi played a key role in bringing aquatic plants to land.  Thus enabling the diversity and abundance of vegetation we have today.  

The most prevalent form of Mycorrhiza, Endomycorrhizae (Arbuscular Mycorrhizae), colonizes approximately 85% of all plant species.  Along with Ectomycorrhizae, which colonizes up to 5% of plants, mainly select hardwoods and conifers; covers the majority of plants on earth.

The remainder of plants either have an association with other less prevalent mycorrhizae, or are non-mycorrhizal.

Why is this important?  Many common practices adversely affect the natural state of mycorrhizal colonization. Tillage, resulting in soil compaction, and fallow soil,  common nursery practices, over use of fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides, topsoil removal, all negatively affect mycorrhizae formation.  This can result in transplant shock, poor growth, plant loss, and lower production and yields.

We at GreenEden advocate for the natural way of plant and soil care.  Low or no till, addition of organic, natural amendments, and striving for balance with nature.  The evolution of the mycorrhizal relationship with plants is paramount in the development of a healthy ecology.

The following is a list of plant types and their mycorrhizal association.  By no means a complete list, but a good baseline of knowledge for what  mycorrhizal fungi you will need.

 

Plant Types With Endomycorrhizal Association**

Arborvitae Celery Grass Mulberry Ryegrass
Acacia Cherry Gum Monkey Pod Sassafras
Agapanthus Chokeberry Hackberry Nasturtium Sagebrush
Ailanthus Chrysanthemum Hawthorn Okra Serviceberry
Alder Citrus (all) Hemp Olive Sequoia
Alfalfa Clover Hibiscus Onion Silverbell
Almond Coconut Holly Pacific Yew Sourwood
Apple Coffee Hophornbeam Palms (all) Soybean
Apricot Coral Tree Hops Palmetto Squash
Artichoke Corn Horsechestnut Pampas Grass Strawberry
Ash Cotton Impatiens Papaya Sudan Grass
Asparagus Cottonwood Jojoba Passion Fruit Sugar Cane
Avocado Crabapple Juniper Paulownia Sumac
Bamboo Cryptomeria Kiwi Paw Paw Sunflower
Basil Cucumber Lavender Pea Sweet Gum
Bayberry Currant Leek Peach Sweet Potato
Bean Cypress Lettuce Peanut Sycamore
Begonia Dogwood Lily Pear Tea
Black Locust Eggplant Locust Pecan Tobacco
Blackberry Elm Ligustrum Pepper Tomato
Box Elder Eucalyptus London Planetree Pistachio Tree-of-heaven
Buckeye Euonymus Macadamia Persimmon Tupelo
Bulbs Fern Magnolia Pittosporum Walnut
Burning Bush Fescue Mahogany Plum Wheat
Cacao Fig Mahonia Poinsettia Willow
Cactus Forsythia Mango Potato Yam
Cannabis Fountain Grass Maples (all) Poplar Yarrow
Carrot Fuchsia Marigold Raintree Yew
Casuarina Gardenia Melons (all) Raphiolepsis Yucca
Cassava Garlic Mesquite Raspberry All nut trees except Pecan, Chestnut, and Hazelnut
Catalpa Geranium Millet Redbud All fruit trees, grapevines, grasses, and many vegetables
Ceanothus Gingko Mimosa Rose All berries except blueberry, cranberry, and lingonberry
Cedar Grapes (all) Morning Glory Russian Olive **Partial List of Compatible Species

 

Plant Types With Ectomycorrhizal Association**

Alder Birch Hemlock Madrone Poplar
Aspen Chestnut Hickory Oak Spruce
Basswood Chinnquapin Larch Pecan Willow
Beech Fir Linden Pine **Partial list of compatible species

 

Both Endo and Ectomycorrhizal Association**

Alder Cottonwood Hazelnut Willow
Aspen Eucalyptus Poplar **Partial list of compatible species

 

Plants With Other/No Mycorrhizal Association**

Brassica Family Amaranth Family Dianthus Rushes
Ericaceae Family Carnation Protea Sedges
**Partial list of non-compatible species