mycorrhiza

noun

my·​cor·​rhi·​za ˌmī-kə-ˈrī-zə 

plural mycorrhizae ˌmī-kə-ˈrī-ˌzē  also mycorrhizas

: the symbiotic association of the mycelium of a fungus with the roots of a seed plant

mycorrhizal

ˌmī-kə-ˈrī-zəl 

adjective

Examples of mycorrhiza in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In exchange, the mycorrhiza passes phosphorous and other inert minerals and nutrients that fuel more productive growth and resilient plants. —Afdhel Aziz, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2023

The sugar is converted by the mycorrhiza depositing solid organic carbon permanently in the soil. —Afdhel Aziz, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2023

Intertwining their root systems, the plant converts light into sugar through photosynthesis and passes the sugars down to the mycorrhiza. —Afdhel Aziz, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2023

Ectomycorrhizas are a different type of symbiotic fungi that surround some types of tree roots, rather than getting right into their cells like arbuscular mycorrhiza. —Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 28 Oct. 2021

The way plants and fungi work together is through a symbiotic association known as a mycorrhiza. —Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 28 Oct. 2021

And perhaps more important, as plants pull carbon from the air, their roots inject some of it into the soil, feeding microorganisms and fungi called mycorrhiza. —Moises Velasquez-Manoff, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2018

There are many relationships between plants, insects and soil organisms specific to each community; one very specific and important relationship to the community is mycorrhiza. —Patrice Hanlon, The Mercury News, 25 Jan. 2017

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from myc- + Greek rhiza root — more at root

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

mycorrhiza

noun

my·​cor·​rhi·​za ˌmī-kə-ˈrī-zə 

plural mycorrhizae -ˌzē  also mycorrhizas

: the joining of a fungus and the root of a plant in which the fungus grows around or through the root providing nutrients and water to it and receiving food from it