Parasitic Plants

Define what a parasitic plants is

one that derives some or all of its nutritional requirements from another living plant

Parasitic Plants Modified Root is called

Haustorium, penetrates the host plant and connects to xylem,phloem or both

What is a Hemiparasites?

have chlorophyll, xylem parasites, host for all water and minerals

Leafy Mistletoe components

Hemiparasite, stem parasite, hardwood trees, common in south and western us

Leafy mistletoe generas

Phoradendron and Viscum spp

Leafy Mistletoe Symptoms

bushy growth observed from afar

Leafy Mistletoe sings

swelling on stem, decline of host tree, white berries and green leaves

How does Leafy mistletoe disperse?

Dispersal of seeds through birds

How do you control leafy mistletoe

individual tree

Witchweed Charcateristics

hemiparasite, root parasite, may hosts

Witchweed symptoms

stunted growth of host and loss of yeild

Witchweed Sings

Flowering green plant

How long are which weed seeds viable for?

in soil up to 10 years

How does whitchweed infect/find a host?

when roots exudates strigolactone seed can sense that and use it to find roots, haustoria penetrates roots, stems emerge and produce flowers

Control Methods for Witch Weed

non hosts/trap crops, resistant varieties, sanitation

What is a Holoparasites?

lack chlorophyll, invade xylem and phloem

Dwarf Mistletoe species name?

Areuthobium spp.

Dwarf Mistletoe important characteristics

Holoparasite, arceuthobium spp, stem parasite, hosts are evergreen trees

Dwarf Mistletoe symptoms

swelling, witches brooms, stunting, decline and sometimes death of tree

Dwarf Mistletoe signs

small seed producing shoots on branches

Explain the Dwarf Mistletoe disease cycle

forcefully ejected seeds or by birds, land on branches and growth for months to years

Why is dwarf mistletoe significant?

reduced yield in timber production, increases risk/severity of fire, fuel loading amd increased chance of crown fire

Dwarf Mistletoe Managment

prune out infections, remove infected trees, manage stand composition

Dodder system and importance

holoparasite, cuscuta spp, stem parasite, wide host range,

Dodder Signs

yellow vine

Dodder Symptoms

reduced vigor, reduced yield, smothered plants

Dodder explain the disease cycle

seeds germinate in soil, “smell” nearby host, stems will die if they don’t find a host

Dodder control

plant clean seed, sanitation, herbicides

Broomrape characteristics to remember

Holoparasite, root parasite, common problem in warm dry regions

What are Broomrape hosts?

brassica crop, legumes, solanaceous, sunflower

Broomrape Scientific name (Ca broomrape)

Orobanche californica

Broomrape Control

kill broomrape before seeds produced, fumigate soil, don’t move soil/seeds, plant non hosts