adjective
- relating to or denoting a mycorrhizal fungus that forms a sheath around the root of a plant but does not penetrate the root cells
Usage: technical; botany
Examples
- Ectotrophic fungi are commonly found in association with tree roots in forests.
- The ectotrophic mycorrhizae help the plant absorb nutrients from the soil.
- Pine trees often form ectotrophic relationships with certain fungal species.
- Ectotrophic fungi create a visible fungal sheath on the outside of roots.