J Integr Plant Biol.

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Orchid genome evolution and trait innovation

Meng-Yao Zeng1, Cheng-Yuan Zhou1,2, Linying Wang1, Jie Gao3, Weilun Yin1,4, Dong-Hui Peng1, Siren Lan1,2, Feng-Xi Yang3* and Zhong-Jian Liu1,2,5*   

  1. 1 Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
    2 College of Forestry, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
    3 Guangdong Key Laboratory of Ornamental Plant Germplasm Innovation and Utilization, Institute of Environmental Horticulture, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
    4 College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
    5 Guangzhou Institute of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Engineering Technology Research Center of National Forestry and Grassland Administration for Orchid Conservation and Utilization, Guangzhou 510405, China
    *Correspondences: Zhong-Jian Liu (zjliu@fafueducn, Dr Liu is fully responsible for the distribution of all materials associated with this article); Feng-Xi Yang (yangfengxi@gdaascn)
  • Received:2025-09-30 Accepted:2026-05-23 Online:2026-06-25
  • Supported by:
    This work was supported by funds from the National Key Research and Development Program (2023YFD1600504) and the University‐level Collaborative Research Project (KH240047A)

Abstract: Orchidaceae, one of the largest and most morphologically diverse angiosperm families, showcases unique evolutionary adaptations in morphology, ecology, and function Recent advances in molecular and genomic research have greatly reshaped our understanding of orchid evolution, revealing how genome dynamics, ecological interactions, and developmental plasticity jointly shaped their exceptional diversification Phylogenomic frameworks derived from various genomic datasets have reconstructed the evolutionary history, revealing the influence of geological, climatic, and biotic factors on ancient divergences and global distributions Comprehensive genomic studies have uncovered substantial variation in genome size, structure, and composition, largely driven by repetitive elements and whole‐genome duplication events that facilitated adaptive radiations Key innovations, including epiphytism, mycoheterotrophy, and deceptive pollination, are linked to gene family evolution and modifications in pathways related to CAM photosynthesis, mycorrhizal symbiosis, and floral morphogenesis Integrative multi‐omics approaches further illuminate mechanisms underlying speciation hotspots, coevolution with pollinators and fungi, and the molecular basis of developmental diversity Overall, this review synthesizes current genomic, phylogenetic, and functional insights into orchid evolution, providing a theoretical foundation and future research framework for understanding their molecular diversification

Key words: adaptive radiation, diversification, genome evolution, multi‐omics, Orchidaceae, phylogenomics

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