Fungi Above and Below, April 4 @ 7:30 pm

Illinois Mycological Association Presents

Looking for Fungi Above and Below:
The fungal community of vanilla orchid roots
Presented by Lynnaun Johnson


Monday, April 4, 2016 @ 7:30 pm

Niles Historical Society
8970 Milwaukee Avenue
Niles, IL 60714

Orchids at an early stage of development lack nutrients and require mycorrhizal fungi for development. As adults, it is uncertain if orchids frequently associate with mycorrhizal fungi. Lynnaun Johnson will present his research on fungal communities within the roots of vanilla orchids from Mexico. Vanilla orchids provide a unique opportunity to study mycorrhizal fungi because they have two root types. Through his research, Lynnaun was able to explore the fungal communities of vanilla roots and describe how mycorrhizal fungi were different within the roots that are terrestrial (growing belowground in soil) and those that are epiphytic (growing aboveground).

Lynnaun is a Ph.D. student in the joint Plant Biology and Conservation program at Northwestern University and the Chicago Botanic Garden. He currently studies the fungi of orchids, but has previously done research on fungi that associate with bats. Greg Mueller is Lynnaun’s graduate advisor and recommends this program. You can read more about Lynnaun’s research on his Chicago Botanic Garden posts.

A note on our location:
Niles Historical Center is about a tenth of a mile Southeast from the Golf-Mill Shopping center. The former sheriff's office has parking adjacent to the building. The meeting room is on the third floor and is accessible by elevator as well as a large staircase. Restrooms are available on first and third floors. A museum volunteer will open the building for us Monday evening. For public transport from the city, take the Blue Line to the Jefferson Park CTA Station, from there it is 20 minutes on the PACE #270 bus to Milwaukee and Elizabeth. The museum is open to the public Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM.

http://www.illinoismyco.org/home