''Cairneyella'' is a
genus
Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...
of at least two
ericoid mycorrhiza
The ericoid mycorrhiza is a mutualistic relationship formed between members of the plant family Ericaceae and several lineages of mycorrhizal fungi. This symbiosis represents an important adaptation to acidic and nutrient poor soils that speci ...
l and root-associated
fungi
A fungus (: fungi , , , or ; or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and mold (fungus), molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as one ...
that is, to date, endemic to Australian plants, mostly from the family
Ericaceae
The Ericaceae () are a Family (biology), family of flowering plants, commonly known as the heath or heather family, found most commonly in acidic and infertile growing conditions. The family is large, with about 4,250 known species spread acros ...
.
It has been demonstrated to form typical ericoid mycorrhizal coils in hair roots and is known to enhance the growth of ericaceous seedlings.
The genus is named in honour of
John Cairney
John Cairney (16 February 1930 – 6 September 2023) was a Scottish stage, film and television actor who found fame through his one-man shows on Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson, Robert Service, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and William McGo ...
, an Australian-Scottish mycologist.
Species
*''
Cairneyella variabilis''
*''Cairneyella'' sp. 2.
References
External links
*
Helotiales
{{leotiomycetes-stub