Hemiparasitism

Around are considered parasites because they obtain water, mineral nutrients, sugars, and sometimes other materials from another plant. Parasitism in plants has much in common with other plant life-history strategies, but it is distinguished by having a direct, physiological connection called a haustorium. Modern techniques for phylogenetic reconstruction have demonstrated that parasitism has originated a dozen times within the flowering plants, including mistletoes, dodders, and many agriculturally important species. The ecology of the parasitic plants and the interaction with the host are briefly described.