Question

How does Cuscuta derive nutrition?

Answer 1

Cuscuta:

1. Cuscuta is a member of the plant genus of family Convolvulaceae, which contains over 200 species.
2. These plants can be found in both tropical and temperate climates around the world.
3. Cuscuta is a parasitic plant that appears yellow or orange.
4. Cuscuta is a parasitic plant that feeds on the host plant by curling around it.
5. The leaves have been reduced to minute scales and lack chlorophyll.
6. As a result, it is unable to perform photosynthesis.
7. Some of the species can photosynthesize, but not sufficiently to meet the needs of the plants.
8. As a result, it must rely on another plant for food.
9. The plant that provides nutrition to Cuscuta is known as the host plant.
10. As a parasite, the Cuscuta plant is entirely dependent on the host plant. It is also referred to as dodder.

Cuscuta nutrition from other plants:

1. It clings to the host plant and curls around it.
2. Then, using a sucking apparatus, it enters the host plant's tissues.
3. This sucking apparatus is known as a haustoria.
4. The haustoria enter the host plant's cells and begin sucking nutrients.
5. Cuscuta wraps itself around the entire host plant and remains attached until the host dies.
6. Cuscuta's vegetative part is its stem, so it is a total stem parasite.