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. 1975 Mar;6(3):153-64.
doi: 10.1016/0303-2647(75)90023-4.

The origin of land plants: a matter of mycotrophism

K A Pirozynski, D W Malloch

The origin of land plants: a matter of mycotrophism

K A Pirozynski et al. Biosystems. 1975 Mar.

Abstract

It is hypothesized that terrestrial plants are the product of an ancient and continuing symbiosis of a semi-aquatic ancestral green alga and an aquatic fungus-an oomycete. The Siluro-Devonian "explosive" colonization of land, and indeed the very evolution of plants, was possible only through such mutualistic partnerships-partnerships that were equipped to cope with the problems of desiccation and starvation associated with terrestrial existence.

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