Occult Mafia 2000 Posted March 29, 2017 #1 Share Posted March 29, 2017 (edited) Cuscuta epithymum is a rootless, wholly parasitic plant that occurs most commonly on heather Calluna vulgaris, gorse Ulex europaeus and clover Trifoliumspecies. Clover dodder is native to Europe, but occurs almost worldwide. It is a member of the Convolvulaceae family, which includes Ipomoea and Convolvulus species, many of which are commonly known as bindweed and morning glory. Source : Kew Science Some call the dodder (Cuscuta sp.) a vampire plant, because it sucks nutrients from its hosts, but I think alien would describe it better. Seriously, do you know how the dodder infects its hosts? It probes it! Yes, it uses a specialized root called haustoria that penetrates and invades the tissue of the host plant. Water, minerals, and carbohydrates are obtained directly from the host, so the root portion of the dodder dies and the plant separates from the soil, now being entirely dependent on the host plant. Source : ZME Science Edited March 29, 2017 by Panoramix 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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