The occurrence of ectomycorrhizae in some species of Cistaceae in North America

Although the genera Cistus, Fumana, Helianthemum, and Tuberaria, all Cistaceae, have been shown to form ectomycorrhizae in the Old World, no species of Cistaceae has been reported to do so in North America. In this study three species of Helianthemum, two of Hudsonia, and two of Lechia occurring in North America were collected and examined for mycorrhizal infections. All species showed some evidence of ectomycorrhizae. Although it was difficult to determine the fungi responsible, constant plant–basidiomata associations suggest that ectomycorrhizae in North American Cistaceae may be formed by species of Amanita, Astraeus, Cenococcum, Inocybe, Laccaria, Leccinum, Russula, Scleroderma, and Thelephora.