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Description
Epifagus Virginiana, commonly known as the beechdrops, is a parasitic plant that belongs to the family Orobanchaceae. It is native to North America, and its range extends from Canada to Florida and Texas. Unlike most plants, which derive their nutrients from the soil, beechdrops obtain their nutrients from the roots of beech trees. They have no chlorophyll and do not produce their own food through photosynthesis.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Orobanchaceae |
| Genus | Epifagus |
Appearance
Beechdrops are small plants that grow to be about 10-30 cm tall. They have scale-like leaves that are brownish in color and do not photosynthesize. The flowers of beechdrops are bell-shaped and range from pale pink to reddish-brown in color. They bloom in late summer and early fall. The fruit of beechdrops is a small capsule that contains numerous tiny seeds.
Care Guide
To care for beechdrops, you must first find a suitable host tree, which is typically a beech tree. Beechdrops are parasitic and will attach themselves to the roots of the host tree to obtain their nutrients. Once the beechdrops have attached themselves to the host tree, they require very little care. They do not need to be watered or fertilized, and they do not need to be planted in soil. Beechdrops prefer partial shade and are hardy in USDA zones 4-8.
Common Pests & Diseases
Beechdrops are not typically affected by pests or diseases, as they have no chlorophyll and do not produce their own food. However, they may be affected by environmental factors such as drought or excessive rainfall.
Habitat
Beechdrops are found in deciduous forests throughout North America. They are commonly found growing on the roots of beech trees, but they may also be found on the roots of other tree species.
Question and Answer
Q: Can beechdrops be grown in a garden?
A: Beechdrops are parasitic and require a host tree to survive, so they cannot be grown in a garden.
Q: Are beechdrops harmful to their host tree?
A: Beechdrops do not typically harm their host tree, as they obtain their nutrients from the roots and do not affect the leaves or branches.
Q: Can beechdrops be removed from a host tree?
A: It is not recommended to remove beechdrops from a host tree, as it may cause damage to the tree.
Q: How do beechdrops reproduce?
A: Beechdrops reproduce by producing numerous tiny seeds in their fruit capsules.
Related Plants
- Indian pipe (Monotropa uniflora)
- Ghost pipe (Monotropa ghost)
- Eastern coralroot (Corallorhiza odontorhiza)
References
- USDA Plants Database: Epifagus virginiana
- Missouri Botanical Garden: Epifagus virginiana
- Native Plant Trust: Beechdrops
