In 2014, evidence was found of the possible loss of plastid genome in Rafflesia lagascae, a non-photosynthetic parasitic flowering plant, and in Polytomella, a genus of non-photosynthetic green algae. Extensive searches for plastid genes in both taxons yielded no results, but concluding that their plastomes are entirely missing is still disputed. Some scientists argue that plastid genome loss is unlikely since even these non-photosynthetic plastids contain genes necessary to complete various biosynthetic pathways including heme biosynthesis.
In 2014 evidence was found of the possible loss of plastid genome in Rafflesia lagascae a non-photosynthetic parasitic flowering plant and in Polytomella a genus of non-photosynthetic green algae Extensive searches for plastid genes in both taxons yielded no results but concluding that their plastomes are entirely missing is still disputed Some scientists argue that plastid genome loss is unlikely since even these non-photosynthetic plastids contain genes necessary to complete various biosynthetic pathways including heme biosynthesis