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 Roots of Voyria aphylla only develop hairs where roots of neighboring plants or organic litter are attached. Fungal penetration occurs almost exclusively at these root-to-root attachments. The ecological significance of these immediate hyphal bridges for achlorophyllous plants is discussed. The morphological and anatomical features of V. aphylla roots and its Paris-type arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) appear to be transitional between those of V. truncata and V. tenella. A hypothetical evolutionary progression of AM and its significance for the development of mycoheterotrophy is proposed.