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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Mycorrhizal Maps as a Tool to Explore Colonization Patterns and Fungal Strategies in the Roots of Festuca rubra and Zea mays

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Published on: August 26, 2022

Fossil ectomycorrhizae from the Middle Eocene.

B Lepage, R Currah, R Stockey

American Journal of Botany

|June 29, 2011

Summary

Fossil ectomycorrhizae, symbiotic fungal associations with plant roots, were discovered in ancient Eocene rocks. These findings confirm ectomycorrhizal fungi were established at least 50 million years ago.

Area of Science:

Paleobotany
Mycology
Eocene Paleontology

Background:

Ectomycorrhizae are crucial symbiotic associations between fungi and plant roots, vital for nutrient cycling.
Fossil evidence of ectomycorrhizae provides insights into the co-evolution of fungi and plants.
Previous fossil records of ectomycorrhizae were limited, hindering a full understanding of their ancient presence.

Purpose of the Study:

To document and characterize the first unequivocal fossil ectomycorrhizae.
To determine the age and host association of these ancient ectomycorrhizae.
To infer the morphology and ecological significance of Eocene ectomycorrhizal fungi.

Main Methods:

Analysis of permineralized plant remains from the middle Eocene Princeton chert.

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Microscopic examination of fossil root structures, including Hartig net, mantle, and extramatrical hyphae.

Morphological comparison with extant ectomycorrhizal fungi, particularly those associated with Pinus.

Main Results:

Discovery of fossil ectomycorrhizae associated with Pinus roots in middle Eocene Princeton chert.
Detailed morphological description: Hartig net to endodermis, pseudoparenchymatous mantle, simple-septate extramatrical hyphae, root hairs absent, dichotomous branching.
Morphological similarities suggest extant fungal genera Rhizopogon and Suillus as potential modern relatives.

Conclusions:

These findings represent the first definitive fossil evidence of ectomycorrhizae.
Ectomycorrhizal associations were well-established at least 50 million years ago during the Eocene.
The discovery highlights the ancient and enduring ecological importance of ectomycorrhizal symbioses.