Multi-omics integration provides insights into the symbiotic evolution of the mycoheterotrophic medicinal orchid Gastrodia elata
This study presents a chromosome-level genome assembly and pan-gene analysis of the mycoheterotrophic orchid *Gastrodia elata*, revealing extensive degeneration of photosynthetic genes, the absence of fungal-derived horizontal gene transfer despite long-term symbiosis, and the identification of specific metabolic adaptations and the expanded GAFP gene family as key mechanisms for nutrient acquisition and symbiotic homeostasis.