Gastrodia elata, commonly known as the "Tian Ma" or Chinese Gastrodia, is a saprophytic perennial orchid native to the shady, moist, and well-drained soils of deciduous and mixed forests in Asia, including Nepal, Bhutan, India, Japan, Korea, Siberia, Taiwan, and China. It typically thrives at elevations of 1312-10499 feet, often in association with broadleaf trees. The plant lacks chlorophyll and has an underground rhizome from which an erect, leafless stem emerges, reaching up to 7 feet in height. Gastrodia elata blooms in June and July, producing pale olivine or orange-red flowers that are not particularly showy due to their adaptation to pollination by flies.

In cultivation, Gastrodia elata is valued for its medicinal properties rather than ornamental use. It requires a specific symbiotic relationship with the fungus Armillaria mellea to obtain nutrients, making cultivation challenging. However, it has been successfully grown for its medicinal benefits, which include compounds like 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and gastrodin, traditionally used to treat headaches, dizziness, and epilepsy. Due to its specific growth requirements, including shade and high humidity, it is not commonly found in general horticulture but rather in specialized medicinal plant cultivation.CC BY-SA 4.0