[Studies on the life cycle of Gastrodia elata]

Seeds of G. elata are strongly reduced small structures. They lack nutrient tissues entirely. A small embryo is surrounded by a single-layered seed coat with a very loose structure. Digestion of certain kinds of fungi (Mycena osmundicola, etc) which have invaded the embryonic cells provides the necessary nutrition to sprout. Protocorms obtain their nutrition from invading Armillaria mellea and then go on to vegetative propagation, becoming small, white G. elata within a year. The commercial arrow G. elata can be obtained late in the year. Over the winter, it will bud, blossom and bear fruit, following in the next year. Taking three years to complete its life cycle, G. elasta depends upon the digestion of certain kinds of fungi----Mycena osmundicola, A. mellea, etc.