Contents
Description
Cytinus is a parasitic plant that belongs to the family Cytinaceae. It is a unique plant that has no chlorophyll and is entirely dependent on its host plant for its nutrition. The plant attaches itself to the roots of its host plant and forms a network of threads that penetrate the host’s tissues, drawing nutrients from it.Cytinus is a small plant, with an average height of 10 to 15 cm. It has no leaves or stems and consists of a small, round, and fleshy structure that is covered in reddish or pinkish scales. The plant produces small, tubular flowers that are usually yellow, orange, or red in color.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain| Eukarya||————|———–|| Kingdom| Plantae|| Phylum| Magnoliophyta || Class| Magnoliopsida || Order| Malvales || Family| Cytinaceae || Genus| Cytinus|
Appearance
Cytinus is a small, fleshy plant that has no stems or leaves. It consists of a small, round structure covered in reddish or pinkish scales. The plant produces small, tubular flowers that are usually yellow, orange, or red in color. The flowers are about 1 cm in length and grow in clusters of 5 to 12. The plant has no roots, and its entire structure is designed to absorb nutrients from the host plant.
Care Guide
Cytinus is a parasitic plant that requires minimal care. As it has no roots, it does not require any water or fertilization. It attaches itself to the roots of its host plant and draws all its nutrition from it. The plant prefers a well-drained soil that is slightly acidic. It requires full sunlight and grows well in hardiness zones 8 to 11.
Common Pests & Diseases
Cytinus is not susceptible to any pests or diseases as it is entirely dependent on its host plant for its nutrition.
Habitat
Cytinus is native to the Mediterranean region and can be found growing in the wild in Greece, Turkey, and North Africa. The plant attaches itself to the roots of a variety of host plants, including species of Cistus, Helianthemum, and Halimium.
Question and Answer
Q: Can Cytinus be grown indoors?
A: No, Cytinus is a parasitic plant that requires a host plant to survive and cannot be grown indoors.
Q: How long does Cytinus live?
A: Cytinus is an annual plant that lives for one growing season.
Q: How does Cytinus attach itself to the host plant?
A: Cytinus attaches itself to the roots of the host plant using a network of threads that penetrate the host’s tissues.
Q: Can Cytinus be used for medicinal purposes?
A: No, there is no evidence to suggest that Cytinus has any medicinal properties.
Related Plants
– Orobanche- Cuscuta- Striga- Hydnora
References
– “Cytinus”, Kew Science, accessed September 14, 2021, https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:6042-1.- “Cytinus”, Flora of North America, accessed September 14, 2021, http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=105665.
