“…However, interactions between fungal endophytes and plants are variable and range from antagonistic to mutualistic depending on morphological and chemotypic adaptations, and life history traits of the fungus and the host plant (Saikkonen et al 1998(Saikkonen et al , 2004. For example, systemic and vertically, via host seeds, transmitted Epichloë species and their grass hosts appears to have a higher probability of mutualistic interactions than nonsystemic, horizontally transmitted endophytes in herbs, woody plants and grasses (Saikkonen 2007;Saikkonen et al 1998). Ecological observations demonstrate that Epichloë species can promote plant growth, reproduction and resistance to various a/biotic stresses, and defensive mutualisms against herbivores and pathogens.…”