Interactions

Camellia sinensis forms a mutualistic relationship with Glomermycota fungi. This interaction has aided both species of organisms to survive, because each profit from the endomycorrhizae mutualism. The Glomermycota fungi’s niche is at the roots of the tea plants. The fungi increases the surface area of the roots. Consequently, the roots are able to take in more water and nutrients than without the fungi. In return, the Glomermycota fungi receive glucose from the plant, which provides the fungi with energy. Furthermore, the tea plant provides a home for the Glomermycota fungi. Overall, this relationship creates a well-adapted plant!

As well as its mutualistic relationship, Camellia sinensis becomes a part of a communalism relationship. Cephaleuros virescens, an algae, benefits from the relationship and C. sinensis is virtually unaffected. The only thing truly affected on the plant is its taste, but the plant is unharmed. Cephaleuros virescens produces minuscule, rust-colored bodies on the surface of the tea plant’s leaves. These spore-like dots spread from the leaves to the branches and eventually to the fruit of Camellia sinensis.

In addition to the communalism and mutualism that Camellia sinensis experiences, there are about 150 insect and 380 fungal parasites that prey on tea plants. One parasitism the tea plants experience is because of the fungi Exobasidium vexans, which is known as the blister blight. This fungi is the most dangerous towards a tea plant because it affects the stem of the tea, and this fungi has the ability to act and spread quickly. When the spores of the fungi first reach the leave, it takes about ten days for the fungi to penetrate the leaf. This infection will ultimately kill the plant. This fungi usually occurs in the most abundant tea-growing areas of Asia.

Another parasite that infects Camellia sinensis is the fungus Marasmius crinisequi, which is more commonly known as horse hair blight. This fungi has black fungal threads that resemble horse hair and these attach to C. sinensis' branches. This fungi produces a deadly substance that causes swift death to the plant. This fungi extends its hair-like threads in order to reach other branches and plants, thus it has the ability to destroy many tea plants.

A different fungi that preys on the tea plants is Macrophoma theicola. This fungi can exterminate massive amounts of tea plants. Macrophoma theicola spreads through rainy weather, but dry weather aids its development. This is horrific news for areas that undergo monsoons. This fungus starts at the leaves, and the leaves will become brown and droopy. Finally, the leaves will become dry and die. From there, the M. theicola spreads to the branch and the rest of the plant, eventually destroying the whole plant.

In addition to insect and fungal parasitism, nematodes also prey on tea plants. Nematodes feed on the stem and roots of Camellia sinensis, creating an inflammation on the roots. Rotting ensues and the uptake of water and nutrients is reduced, which leads to the death of many tea plants.

These interactions are interesting, but there are more Interesting Facts next!