Parasitic plants Parasitism

a parasitic plant derives or of nutritional requirements living plant. make 1% of angiosperms , in every biome in world. parasitic plants have modified roots, named haustoria (singular: haustorium), penetrate host plants, connecting them conductive system – either xylem, phloem, or both. provides them ability extract water , nutrients host. parasitic plants classified depending on parasitic plant latches onto host , amount of nutrients requires. parasitic plants able locate host plants detecting chemicals in air or soil given off host shoots or roots, respectively. 4,500 species of parasitic plant in approximately 20 families of flowering plants known.

species within orobanchaceae (broomrapes) of economically destructive species on earth. species of striga (witchweeds) estimated cost billions of dollars year in crop yield loss annually, infesting on 50 million hectares of cultivated land within sub-saharan africa alone. striga infects both grasses , grains, including corn, rice , sorghum, undoubtedly of important food crops. orobanche threatens wide range of important crops, including peas, chickpeas, tomatoes, carrots, , varieties of genus brassica (cabbages). yield loss orobanche can reach 100%; despite extensive research, no method of control has been entirely successful.

the honey fungus, armillaria mellea, parasite of trees, , saprophyte feeding on trees has killed.