''Cairneyella'' is a
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
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 specie ...
l and root-associated
fungi
A fungus ( : fungi or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, separately from ...
that is, to date, endemic to Australian plants, mostly from the family
Ericaceae
The Ericaceae are a 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 c.4250 known species spread across 124 genera, making it th ...
.
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 (born 16 February 1930) is a Scottish film and television actor who is well known to audiences in Scotland and internationally through his one-man shows on Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson, Robert Service, Charles Rennie Macki ...
, an Australian-Scottish mycologist.
Species
*''
Cairneyella variabilis''
*''Cairneyella'' sp. 2.
References
External links
*
Helotiales
{{leotiomycetes-stub