Question

Explain the mode of nutrition in Cuscuta.

Answer 1

Parasitic Nutrition in Cuscuta :

1. Cuscuta plant is the best example for parasitic nutrition.
2. It contains no chlorophyll and has root like structures called haustoria.
3. With the help of haustoria, cuscuta absorbs nutrients from it’s host plant.
4. As cuscuta grows on the host plants, its roots gradually degenerated and it establishes firmly on the host plant.
5. Meanwhile, the root rots away after stem contact has been made with a host plant.
6. As dodder grows, it sends out new haustoria and establishes itself very firmly on the host plant.
7. After growing in a few spirals around one host shoot, the dodder finds its way to another.
8. It continues to twine and branch until it resembles a fine densley tangled web of thin stems enveloping the host plant.