Most people have get wind about plants like theVenus Flytrap , which course on insect to generate energy .
However , did you know that there are plant that actually pull sustenance from each other , rather than just the sunlight or insects ?
epenthetic flora are those that take nutrients from another know plant . They typically grow on other type of plants , sometimes causing so much damage that it dies . The most common type of parasitic works – and the one you most likely have heard about – is mistletoe .
However , there are plenty of other parasitic plants for you to be aware of .
Here ’s what you need to know .
What Are Parasitic Plants?
You might have warm memories at Christmastime of nestle up under the mistletoe to kiss your sweetheart .
Did you sleep with that the beloved mistletoe is actually a parasite – and has the potential to wreak serious mayhem on other plants ?
Mistletoe is n’t the only parasitic plant , but it ’s one of the most well - recognize . There are over 4000 unlike parasitic plant specie in the world . These are all heterotrophic , bank on other plants for their nutrient and water needs .
They can extract the resources they require from these plant by using modified roots love as haustoria . These hollow deep into the vascular system of the server , sucking out all the body of water and food they need in this way .
How Can Parasitic Plants Affect Other Plants?
There are a few way in which epenthetic plants affect other industrial plant .
Some can not complete their animation cycle without relying on another industrial plant , while others can survive without the support of a horde . Some leechlike plant seize to the base of a horde while others sequester to the stem turn .
Finally , some can bring about their own chlorophyll , and are regard hemiparasitic , while others bank solely on the host plant for this and are considered holoparasitic . Often , holoparasitic industrial plant take on a paler yellow chromaticity .
Although parasitic plant life are undeniably interesting they excerpt so many nutrients and so much body of water from other plants , it can stunt the growth of the host works and even kill it .
If parasitic plant life are leave to grow on their own near food crops in your garden , they can disrupt your harvest too , as you might imagine .
Because of this , it ’s a good idea to take a quick inventorying of what you plan to maturate . Are any of the specimen you want to get into the ground epenthetic in any way ? If so , you will have to be very aware of where you plant them .
Examples of Parasitic Plants
There are all kinds of parasitic plants out there . Mistletoe is one of the most obvious but of grade , it ’s not the only choice . If you ’re thinking about growing parasitical plants , either for their unequaled conduct or for some other ground , here are a few you might consider .
1. Mistletoe
Mistletoeis perhaps the most far-famed of all parasitic plant . It generally attaches to bush or Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , using its haustorium to guide water and nutrient .
With small evergreen leaf in duo and endearing livid berries , this plant is quite attractive and is often see as a symbol of the holiday time of year .
There are several case of mistletoe specie – together , they ’ve been known to parasitize hundreds of shrub and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree species . All species of mistletoe are take hemiparasites because they perform some photosynthesis on their own ( hence the greenish farewell ) .
Mistletoe is often considered a pest but many gardeners continue to grow it for use around the holiday . Not only that , but it is an important food for thought source for many kinds of animals , admit birds . Some species of mistletoe also wait on as roosting and nesting web site for various birds .
Despite its benefit , mistletoe has the potential to be quite destructive . Use that as a conversation piece ( or deviation ! ) the next time someone seek to sneak a candy kiss beneath a sprig of this bloodsucking flora !
2. Dodder
Dodder is another common epenthetic plant life . This one forms big masses of yellow , leafless vines over its host . It uses root - alike harmonium named haustoria to cut into the stems of the hosts . These haustoria siphon off all uncommitted food and piss , often bolt down the horde plant .
The creepy-crawly part about dodder is that it can smell out its horde . It love which neighboring plants will make good hosts and will then actively develop in that focusing until it reaches them . Spooky !
3. Australian Christmas Tree
The Australian Christmas tree is perhaps one of the most elegant parasitic plants you will chance . It is aboriginal , as you might guess , to Australia , where it is find towering over nearby plants in dry regions . It flowers when other species are dormant , take a leak it an attractive selection for many gardeners .
Because it has its own dark-green leaves , it can go through photosynthesis on its own . However , it steals water system from its neighbor to enable it to blossom during drought - similar status .
It has a declamatory internet of root connections with nearby industrial plant , break up their xylem vas to slip their water supply .
These trees are beautiful and fearless , to say the least , but can be destructive . In addition to killing nearby plants , the roots of this tree are so strong and “ ascertain ” that they have been known to swerve underground major power and utility lines !
4. Corpse Flower
The stiff flower is often see as the largest individual flush in the man because when you lay eyes on this plant , it ’s unmanageable to see any form of leaf at all . Instead , your eye will be drawn entirely to the massive bright crimson - brown efflorescence ( it ’s up to 3 - feet panoptic ! ) .
It ’s found in the jungles of Indonesia and Malaysia , so it ’s in all likelihood not a plant that you ’ll be cultivating in your backyard garden any time soon .
Not only that , but this jungle plant life has a smell akin to moulder frame . It emanates this aroma in an attempt to attract flies that feed on carrion to pollinate it and help it bring forth sticky yield . Because it does not have any leaves , it ca n’t perform its own photosynthesis . As a result , it bank solely on the nutrients it describe from nearby vine .
5. Thurber’s Stemsucker
A desert plant life , Thurber ’s stemsucker is found growing in the southwest regions of North America . It lives on shrubs in the pea family and beat just a quarter of an column inch long – so again , credibly not a plant you ’ll be grow in closing off in your garden .
It ’s significant to sleep together about this parasitic plant , though , if you plan on grow anything relate to the pea . It is usually harmless due to its sizing , living within its hosts ’ stems . You will only bring in it is there when it starts poking through the bark of the legion flora to produce bloom .
Growing Parasitic Plants: Should I Do It?
grow parasitic plants is a way to add life , variety , and interestingness to your garden . It ’s not the correct selection for everyone – there are sure program line for their care that you will need to keep in mind . Of course , you ’ll have to make certain that you are n’t implant them in a position where they will harm the health of nearby plant species .
Otherwise , institute aside ! bloodsucking plants are unique and fun to grow – as long as you ’re aware of their strange requirements .
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