Subterranean morphology underpins the degree of mycoheterotrophy, mycorrhizal associations, and plant vigor in a green orchid Oreorchis patens.

ABSTRACT: The evolution of full heterotrophy is a fascinating topic in plant evolution, with recent studies suggesting that partial mycoheterotrophy (mixotrophy) serves as a transitional stage toward full mycoheterotrophy in orchids. However, the adaptive significance of fungal-derived carbon in mixotrophic plants remains largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated the photosynthetic orchid Oreorchis patens, a species related to the leafless genus Corallorhiza within the subtribe Calypsoinae. Using high-throughput DNA sequencing, ¹³C and ¹⁵N isotopic analyses, and phenotypic evaluations, we explored the role of coralloid rhizomes - a feature common in fully mycoheterotrophic orchids - in fungal partnerships, the degree of mycoheterotrophy, and plant vigor. Our findings r

SUBMITTER: Suetsugu K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11837900 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature