endophyte

(noun)

Any organism that lives inside another plant.

Examples of endophyte in the following topics:

  • Endophytes and Plants

    • However, most of these endophyte/plant relationships are not well understood.
    • Extensive colonization of the plant tissue by endophytes creates a "barrier effect," where the local endophytes outcompete and prevent pathogenic organisms from taking hold.
    • Some bacterial endophytes have proven to increase plant growth.
    • However, certain fungal endophytes help plants survive drought and heat.
    • The effects of climate change on endophytes are being investigated.

  • Plant Defenses Against Pathogens

    • A hypersensitive response, in which the plant experiences rapid cell death to fight off the infection, can be initiated by the plant; or it may use endophyte assistance: the roots release chemicals that attract other beneficial bacteria to fight the infection.