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Abstract

We have examined the roots of 6 species of Cypripedium and the dynamics of mycorrhizal fungi from May to July in Changbai Mountain to preserve and utilize wild Cypripedium and clarify the traits of endangered Cypripedium and their responses to the environment. Our data showed that the roots of Cypripedium were composed of velamina, cortex, and stele. The velamina of Cypripedium shanxiense S. C. Chen was the thickest, whereas that of Cypripedium calceolus L. was the thinnest. The cortex and stele of Cypripedium guttatum Sw. were significantly thicker than those of other parts. Cypripedium underwent both fungal invasion and digestion during the growth processes in May, June, and July. There were differences in the number and dispersion of pelotons at different stages of development. The processes of fungal invasion and digestion were repeated. The symbiosis of Cypripedium plants and fungi may be revealed through research on mycorrhizal anatomy and the dynamics of mycorrhizal invasion. This study also provides a theoretical foundation for the conservation of Cypripedium.

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