Abstract
Formosan rhododendron (Rhododendron formosanum Hemsl.) is an indigenous species of the
Ericales in Taiwan. The Rf32 fungal strain was isolated from the roots of wild Formosan rhododendron
and identified as an endophytic species of Cryptosporiopsis based on its morphological
characteristics. This identification was further confirmed by an internal transcribed spacer sequence
analysis. This species is a new addition to the fungal flora of Taiwan. In an ericoid-mycorrhizal
resynthesis experiment, Rf32-inoculated Formosan rhododendron seedlings exhibited vigorous
growth, and the root association showed hyphal complexes in cortical cells. The results demonstrated
that Formosan rhododendron can form ericoid mycorrhizae in vitro with Cryptosporiopsis
sp. Rf32.