Corsiaceae are an intriguing family of mycoheterotrophic plants from the rain forests of southern South America (Arachnitis), Australasia (Corsia), and China (Corsiopsis).
FACT SHEET
Classification: Monocots, Liliales
Genera: Arachnitis, Corsia, Corsiopsis
Diversity: Corsiaceae comprise three genera and 27 species. All species are fully mycoheterotrophic. The largest genus is Corsia (25 species).
Distribution and habitat: Corsiaceae have a remarkable disjunct distribution, occurring in tropical and subantarctic South America (Arachnitis), China (Corsiopsis), and tropical Australasia (Corsia).
Fungi: Corsiaceae grow on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.
Fun fact: Mycoheterotrophic plants usually grow in forests, but Arachnitis has been recorded on the treeless East Falkland Island, “growing in sand amongst rocks on an eroded sandstone ridge”
Pictures
Corsia sp. (Corsiaceae) – Papua New Guinea. Photo by Stephanie Lyon
mycoheterotrophy 