Heterotrophic Plants

Heterotrophic plants are those plants that cannot produce their own food through photosynthesis. Instead, they obtain their nutrients and energy by feeding on other organisms. One such example of a heterotrophic plant is Cuscuta.

Cuscuta

Cuscuta, also known as Dodder, is a parasitic plant that belongs to the family Convolvulaceae. It is a leafless plant that attaches itself to the host plant by penetrating its stem with haustoria. Haustoria are specialized structures that allow the plant to obtain nutrients and water from the host plant.

Characteristics of Cuscuta

- Cuscuta is a parasitic plant that cannot produce its own food.
- It has a thin, leafless stem that attaches itself to the host plant.
- It has specialized structures called haustoria that penetrate the stem of the host plant to obtain nutrients and water.
- It produces small, white or pink flowers that are pollinated by insects.
- It is a common weed that can be found in different parts of the world.

Importance of Cuscuta

Cuscuta is considered as a pest in agriculture as it can cause damage to crops by reducing their growth and yield. However, it also has some medicinal properties and has been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments such as constipation, headache, and fever.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Cuscuta is a heterotrophic plant that obtains its nutrients and energy by feeding on other organisms. It is a parasitic plant that attaches itself to the host plant by penetrating its stem with haustoria. While it is considered as a pest in agriculture, it also has some medicinal properties and has been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments.

A and D
A- insectivorous

D-parasite


Both come under heterotrophic