Parasitic Plants
-
L
Loranthaceae
Description Loranthaceae is a family of flowering parasitic plants that can be found in many parts of the world, particularly in the tropics and subtropics. They are commonly known as mistletoes or loranthus, and they are known for their ability to grow on the branches of other trees and shrubs, tapping into their hosts’ resources for survival.Mistletoes have small, inconspicuous…
Read More » -
R
Rafflesiaceae
Description Rafflesiaceae is a family of parasitic plants that includes about 60 species belonging to the order Malpighiales. These plants are known for their unique appearance and fascinating life cycle. Unlike most plants, they lack leaves, stems, and roots, and instead obtain all their nutrients from the host plants they parasitize. The family is named after Sir Stamford Raffles, who…
Read More » -
T
Tristerix
Description Tristerix is a genus of parasitic plants that belong to the Loranthaceae family. These plants are native to the Andes Mountains of South America and are known for their unique growth habit. They are commonly called the “Mistletoe of the Andes” due to their parasitic nature. Tristerix plants grow on the branches of trees and shrubs and obtain their…
Read More » -
B
Balanophora
Description Balanophora is a fascinating genus of parasitic plants that belongs to the family Balanophoraceae. There are around 50 species of Balanophora found in tropical regions across the world, including Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. These plants are unique in their morphology and ecology, as they lack chlorophyll and rely on other plants for their nutrition. Taxonomic Information Domain…
Read More » -
C
Cynomoriaceae
Description Cynomoriaceae is a family of parasitic plants that grow in arid regions. They are root parasites that attach themselves to the roots of host plants to obtain nutrients. The family consists of only one genus, Cynomorium, which contains approximately 15 species. They are known by various common names, including desert thumb, Maltese fungus, and Moroccan wormwood. Taxonomic Information Domain…
Read More »
