Question

How do non-green plants get their nutrition?

Answer 1

Non-green plants:

1. Non-green plants lack chlorophyll, making them unable to perform photosynthesis, derive energy from sunshine, or fix sugars.
2. These plants are divided into parasitic and mycotrophic plants, depending on how they get their sustenance.

Parasitic plants:

1. Parasitic plants get all of their nutrition from other live plants.
2. They have haustoria, which are modified roots that can pierce the host plant and reach the vascular bundles, xylem or phloem, or both in some instances, allowing them to get food and water from the host plant.
3. Parasitic plants detect their hosts through compounds released by the host plant in the soil or air or chemicals released by the host plant's shoots and roots.
4. Example: Cuscuta, and Red rattle.

Mycotrophic plants:

1. Mycotrophic plants get their food and water from fungus, which can be mutualistic or parasitic.
2. Example: Orchid, and Heath.