ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Ectomycorrhiza

Hello there! You have asked about ectomycorrhiza, which is a type of partnership between plants and fungi. Let us imagine that plants are like giant super towers that pull all the good things like food and water from the soil. The towers also pump out oxygen and are home to millions of tiny creatures like bacteria and fungi that help them grow better.

Now, imagine that the fungi are like friendly neighbourhood helpers for these super towers. They team up with the plants and work together to get the job done. Ectomycorrhiza happens when the fungi act like a tiny sponge around the plant's roots to help them absorb nutrients better from the soil.

This fungal sponge doesn't just help the plant grow, but also protects them from harmful bacteria and other bad organisms that can harm them. This way, the plants stay healthy and grow better with the help of their friends- the fungi.

Just like best friends, these two work together in perfect harmony, and ectomycorrhiza is one such partnership that has helped the plants grow better and thrive for millions of years.