Instant Notes: Plant Biology

saprophytic plant via the mycorrhizae. In their form and color the fully sapro-

phytic plants closely resemble root parasites.

The gametophytes of some clubmosses, horsetails and ferns (Topics Q3 and

Q4) are entirely subterranean and live saprophytically with their associated

mycorrhizae, although the sporophytes are autotrophic.

222 Section M – Interactions between plants and other organisms

Flowers

Brown stem

Scale-like leaves

Roots covered with

mycorrhiza

Fig. 2. Yellow birdsnest, Monotropa hypopitys.