How do fungi help young orchid plants grow from seeds?

Orchid seeds are extremely small and lack the endosperm necessary to fuel their own development. Because they cannot germinate on their own in nature, they rely on a process called mycoheterotrophy, where they form a relationship with fungi to obtain essential nutrients.12

During the initial stages of development, the fungus penetrates the orchid seed and supplies the carbon-based nutrients required for the seedling to sprout and grow. While most orchid species eventually transition to photosynthesis as they mature, they remain dependent on these fungal networks during their early life cycle. In some cases, this relationship requires a specific species of fungus, while other orchids can associate with several different types. By acting as a source of nourishment, these fungi effectively bridge the nutritional gap for the developing plant, allowing it to survive until it can produce its own energy.12