Foliar Endophytic Fungi from Geum peckii in Canada

In Canada, the Geum peckii population has declined over the past forty years due in part to changing habitat conditions. We investigated the culturable foliar fungi present in G. peckii leaves at five locations with differing habitat conditions (water and nutrient levels, degree of shrubby plant ingrowth) within this plant species’ Canadian range. Fungal identifications were made using ITS rDNA barcoding of axenic fungal cultures isolated from leaf tissue. Differences in foliar fungal communities among sites were documented, with a predominance of Gnomoniaceae (Class: Sordariomycetes, Phylum: Ascomycota). Habitats showing altered conditions showed lower endophytic diversities (10–16 species) compared to the reference habitat (27 species). Intriguingly, several fungi may represent previously unknown taxa. Our work represents a significant step towards understanding G. peckii’s mycobiome and provides relevant data to inform conservation of this rare and endangered plant.