Abstract
The roots of 11 epiphytic fern species from the genera Elaphaglossum, Peltapteris, Hymenophyllum, Grammitis, and Lellingeria were studied by means of light and electron microscopy. All species showed a similar association with an ascomycete that traversed the root hairs and formed intracellular hyphal coils within cytoplasmic epidermal and outer cortical cells. The unbranched fungal hyphae were of a uniform diameter. They were surrounded by a flocculent matrix material and by the host plasmalemma. Cytoplasmic hyphae also occurred within degenerated host cells. The host–fungus interaction showed similarities to Ericoid mycorrhizae. Key words: ferns, mycorrhiza, ascomycete, ultrastructure, Costa Rica.
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