Hebeloma crustuliniforme

Fig. 2.2. Mycelium of Hebeloma crustuliniforme after colonization of a potassium feldspar surface for seven months. The sample was prepared by fixation and critical point drying followed by gold coating and analysis by scanning electron microscopy. Hyphae (H) and bacteria (B) are visible. Scale bar = 10 pm. The hyphal surface contact is mediated by a fdm of extracellular mucilage (arrow) and bacteria are seen in the mucilage.

Abuzinadah, R. A. Read, D. J. (1986a). The role of proteins in the nitrogen nutrition of ectomycorrhizal plants. III. Protein utilization by Betula, Picea, and Pinus in mycorrhizal association with Hebeloma crustuliniforme. New Phytologist, 103, 507-14. 

As it turns out, bilberry and spruce both have their own symbiotic mycorrizae in their rhizospheres, Hymenoscyphus ericae and Hebeloma crustuliniforme, respectively. If there would be any adaptive value to bilberry s phenolics, they should have less or no alleopathic activity on H. ericae but should inhibit growth or respiration of H. crustuliniforme beneath its competitor spruce. 

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