Interactions

Stonebreaker forms a mutualistic relationship with Glomeromycota fungi. Glomeromycota fungi form endomycorrhizae which attach to the plant’s roots. This communal relationship helps both organisms survive. The fungi helps increase the root’s surface area which allows the plant to take in more water and nutrients. Phyllanthus niruri in turn helps the fungi by providing it with sugars. Other organisms that exhibit this relationship include the Tea Plant, the Blue Spruce, and the Norway Spruce.

When thinking where P. niruri would fit into a food web, it would be considered a primary  producer. Primary producers interact with numerous organisms directly (when organisms eat them) or indirectly, by providing them with oxygen.

For more information on endomycorrhizae and other fungi please visit tomvolkfungi.net

In addition, P. niruri forms numerous interactions with humans due to its many medical uses.

 

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