Sporophore abundance of putatively ectomycorrhizal fungi was compared in a mature mixed hardwood/conifer forest inside of (+) versus outside of (-) Rhododendron maximum thickets (RmT). Experimental blocks (1/4 ha) were established inside of (3) and outside of (3) RmT at the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory in Macon County, North Carolina, USA. Litter and organic layer substrates were removed, comp...

Many species of the family Ericaceae, such as the plants belonging to the genera Pieris, Rhododendron, Lyonia, Kalmia, and Leucothoe, are usually rich in grayanane-type diterpenoids with a 5/7/6/5 ring system, which is responsible for the toxicity of these species [1, 2]. Recently, a series of novel highly acylated diterpenoids with specific 3,4-secograyanane skeleton have been reported from Rh...