# It’s a Question at the ‘Root’ of the Problem: Fungal Associations of Dionaea muscipula (Venus’ Flytrap) Roots in Its Native Habitat

## TL;DR

This study explores how the Venus' flytrap survives in poor soils by forming fungal partnerships that help with nutrients and stress.

## Contribution

The paper identifies fungal associations in the Venus' flytrap's root system, suggesting a role in nutrient acquisition and stress defense.

## Key findings

- D. muscipula forms mycorrhizal and endophytic fungal associations in its native habitat.
- Ectomycorrhizal, endophytic, and saprophytic fungi were identified in the plant's rhizosphere.
- These fungal associations likely aid in nutrient uptake and stress defense in nutrient-poor soils.

## Abstract

Carnivorous plants survive in harsh habitats with limited nutrients and a low pH. Much focus has been placed on carnivorous trap evolution as the primary mechanism to increase nutrient acquisition through insect digestion. Soil microbiome, however, may also play a pertinent role in nutrient acquisition influencing plant vigor and overall success. Dionaea muscipula, commonly known as the Venus’ flytrap, is endemic to rims of the Carolina Bays located in southeast North Carolina and northeast South Carolina, where D. muscipula survives in nutrient poor soils with a vestigial root system. We utilized a combination of microscopy, plating, and metagenomics, to investigate the presence/absence of fungal partners that may contribute to success and vigor of D. muscipula in its native habitat in order to further conservation of this carnivorous plant. Results support that D. muscipula forms both mycorrhizal and fungal endophytic associations, most likely to aid nutrient uptake from otherwise nutrient-poor soils, as well as aid in stress defense. Several ectomycorrhizal, endophytic, and saprophytic fungal species were identified from the surrounding rhizosphere of D. muscipula roots presenting a first glimpse into fungal communities that may influence D. muscipula physiology and compose the microbiome of the Carolina Bays ecosystem.