Orchids are beautiful, no doubt about it.
We all want to have them in our homes so we can gaze upon their perfection and marvel at their elegance.
Most of us however, would be absolutely horrified if we thought that deep within this beautiful plant was housed a whole army of orchid fungus.
Yet, the orchids that we admire so much, often have a hugely important connection with orchid fungus, without which they would not be able to survive.
So before you get out your mold killer, read on below to find out more about this remarkable exhibition of team work.
The symbiotic connection (known as mycorrhiza) between orchids and fungi is a two-way process that is mutually beneficial to both organisms.
The orchid fungus helps to make insoluble nutrients from the growth medium available to its host and also helps it to convert energy to allow the process of seed germination to take place.
Some orchids even lack the substance Chlorophyll which enables plants to convert sunlight into food so are even more dependent on their resident micro-organisms.
This association is beneficial for fungi as they need a place in which to live and thrive.
They find this in the plant by breaking down a route into its cell wall and lodging themselves within the roots.
In some cases, they may even take some essential minerals from the host as well as assisting it is synthesizing them for its own use.
An example of a plant that is heavily dependent on orchid fungus is the Phantom Orchid.
This is native to certain parts of the USA, living mainly in regions of forestation and is very rare.
This amazing plant actually lives secretly underground, only pushing its blossoms into view when the conditions up above are favorable.
It can only exist in its protected underground dwelling due to its associated orchid fungus which helps it to stay nourished despite the fact that it mainly lives in the absence of sunlight.
Varieties of orchids that do not have any leaves are more dependent upon fungi than types with plenty of foliage.
In the same way, terrestrial orchids exhibit more of a closer bond with these organisms than lithophytic (rock dwelling) or epiphytic (tree mounted) kinds.
These plants are very particular about which types of orchid fungi they associate with and each variety will thrive in conjunction with just one fungal species.
Botanists have tried introducing different kinds of fungi to individual plant varieties but this always leads in failure to thrive so it is clear that the specifics of the situation cannot be tampered with.
However, the relationship between the orchid fungus and its host is not always a match made in heaven as there can sometimes be inner conflict which will disturb the fine balance between the two living organisms.
If certain conditions become unfavourable then this may cause certain metabolic changes to occur and lead to the orchid fungus attacking its home environment; this is often what happens in the case of root-rot when over-moist conditions are present.
Normally, the orchid is capable of releasing substances to counteract such an occurrence but these will only be effective up to a certain point.
Any conflict will of course result in the death of both organisms which accounts for the rarity of the situation.
On the whole, the orchid and the fungus do co-exist in harmony with both of them coming out all the better from the union.
So the next time you revel in the exquisiteness of your perfect plant, just think about what is happening deep within the roots and remember that beauty really is just skin deep.
Guaranteed, it will make you think differently about orchid fungi!