Orchid mycorrhiza allowed for the identification of specific taxa forming symbiotic relationships which are of interest in the study, cultivation, and conservation of orchids. This is especially important in the trade and preservation endangered species or orchids of commercial value like the vanilla bean. There have been seen trends in the type of symbioses found in orchids, depending primarily on the life-style of the orchid, as the symbiosis is primarily of benefit to the plant. Terrestrial orchids have been found to commonly associate with Tulasnellaceae, however some autotrophic and non-autotrophic orchids do associate with several ectomycorrhizal fungi. Epiphytic fungi, however, may associate
Orchid mycorrhiza in response to stresses. This is unique in that it conflicts with the trends seen in most arbuscular and ectomycorrhizal symbioses which form associations with several fungi at the same time. The knowledge of species-specific fungal symbionts is crucial given the endangered status of many orchids around the world. The identification of their fungal symbionts could prove useful in the preservation and reintroduction of threatened orchids. Researchers in India have used samples from adult orchids to germinate seeds from an endangered orchid "Dactylorhiza hatagirea" which were found to associate closely with "Ceratobasidium." Orchid mycorrhiza Orchid mycorrhizae are symbiotic relationships between