 Although primarily a saprotrophic fungus involved in the post @-@ fire breakdown of duff and coniferous roots , Geopyxis carbonaria has been shown to be capable of forming ectomycorrhizae with Norway spruce ( Picea abies ) . It had been demonstrated earlier in laboratory experiments that the fungus has a biotrophic interaction with lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta ) . The hyphae of G. carbonaria were able to infect the cortex of the tree seedling , but did not penetrate the endodermis . These traits suggest that the fungus is a moderate pathogen , with limited ability to cause reductions in seed germination . Additionally , the fungus produces the enzyme polyphenol oxidase , and can break down the complex organic polymer lignin — features characteristic of saprotrophic fungi . The formation of a rudimentary Hartig net , a characteristic of mycorrhizal fungi , indicated that G. carbonaria might be capable of forming mutualistic relationships under the right conditions . Vrålstad and colleagues suggest that its below @-@ ground association with spruce roots protects it from physical damage in the event of a fire , and the extensive fruitbody production after a fire may reflect " a successful fungal escape from a dying host where the fungus no longer can maintain its biotrophic association " . 
 Although primarily a saprotrophic fungus involved in the post @-@ fire breakdown of duff and coniferous roots , Geopyxis carbonaria <a href='been_done' title='1'><mark>has</mark></a> been shown to be capable of forming ectomycorrhizae with Norway spruce ( Picea abies ) . It <a href='been_done' title='2'><mark>had</mark></a> been demonstrated earlier in laboratory experiments that the fungus <a href='got' title='3'><mark>has</mark></a> a biotrophic interaction with lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta ) . The hyphae of G. carbonaria <a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>were</mark></a> able to infect the cortex of the tree seedling , but did not penetrate <a href='None' title='5'><mark>the</mark></a><a href='negative_concord' title='6'><mark>endodermis</mark></a> . These traits suggest that the fungus is a moderate pathogen , with limited ability to cause reductions in seed germination . Additionally , the fungus <a href='uninflect' title='7'><mark>produces</mark></a> the enzyme polyphenol oxidase , and can break down the complex organic polymer lignin — <a href='uninflect' title='8'><mark>features</mark></a> characteristic of saprotrophic fungi . The formation of a rudimentary Hartig net , a characteristic of mycorrhizal fungi , indicated that G. carbonaria might be capable of forming mutualistic relationships under the right conditions . Vrålstad and colleagues suggest that its below @-@ ground association with spruce roots <a href='uninflect' title='9'><mark>protects</mark></a> it from physical damage in the event of a fire , and the extensive fruitbody production after a fire may reflect " a successful fungal escape from a dying host where the fungus no longer can maintain its biotrophic association " . 
Although primarily a saprotrophic fungus involved in the post @-@ fire breakdown of duff and coniferous roots , Geopyxis carbonaria done been shown to b capable of forming ectomycorrhizae with Norway spruce ( Picea abies ) . It done been demonstrated earlier in laboratory experiments dat da fungus got a biotrophic interaction witt lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta ) . The hyphae of G. carbonaria was able to infect tdacortex of thdaree seedling , but did not penetrate no endodermis . dese traits suggest that thedangus is a moderate pathogen , w/ limited ability to cuz reductions in seed germination . Additionally , the dagus produce the enzyme polyphenol oxidase , and can break down the complex organic polymer lignin — feature characteristic of saprotrophic fungi . The formation of a rudimentary Hartig net , a characteristic of mycorrhizal fungi , indicated that G. carbonaria mite be capable of forming mutualistic relationships under the rda conditions . Vrålstad and colleagues suggest tdatits below @-@ ground association with spruce roots protect it from physical damage in the event of a fire , and the exdasive fruitbody production after a fire may reflect " a successful fungal escape from a dying host where the funda no longer can maintain its biotrophic association " .