Beechdrops

Beechdrops (Epifagus virginiana) is an obligate parasitic plant, lacking chlorophyll, that obtains nutrients solely from the roots of American beech trees. The name Epifagus originates from the Greek prefix "epi", translating to "upon", while "Fagus" is the genus name of beech.

Beechdrop plant with bloomed flowers.

Taxonomy

	Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family	Genus	Species
Classification	Plantae	Angiosperms	Magnoliopsida	Lamiales	Orobanchaceae	Epifagus, Nutt.	E. virginiana

• The genus Epifagus is monotypic, only containing E. virginiana within it.

Description and Characteristics

Cluster of brown beechdrops; appear similar to woody plants.

Beechdrops generally reach heights of 6-20 in. (15-50 cm.) at maturity. The plants are reddish brown in coloration, commonly being mistaken as woody plants. However, beechdrops are herbaceous. The stems are usually a light brown shade, with vertical purple stripes that may darken with age. The leaves are underdeveloped and difficult to distinguish, appearing similar to small scales. The flowers are small and tubular, growing alternately along the stems. After blooming in autumn, between August and October, the flowers are a mixture of deep burgundy and white.

Hosts and Impacts

Beechdrops grows on shallow roots at varying distances from the trunk of F. grandifolia. The parasite develops a haustorium structure that penetrates and grows into beech roots to extract nutrients, as the beechdrops plant is not able to photosynthesize or produce its own food. Without the presence of beech trees, Beechdrops cannot survive or reproduce.

Cluster of beechdrops growing on an American beech.

Life Cycle

A fairly inconspicuous brown stem produces two types of flowers, cleistogamous flowers that self-pollinate without ever opening, and chasmogamous flowers that open, but are often sterile. The roots of the host release a chemical that trigger the germination of E. virginiana. It is believed that the older the host tree, the more this chemical is released. Seeds from E. virginiana are small and are dispersed by rainwater. Between dispersal and germination, seeds experience a cellular change, the embryo changes colors and its cells develop granules.

Habitats and Range

This parasitic plant is native to North America and can commonly be found along the edges of temperate forests. Chasmogamous flowers are cross pollinated flowers that grow at the top of the plant and are sometimes sterile. Cleistogamous flowers are self-fertile, these flowers grow at the base of the plant.[10] Seeds from E. virginiana are small and are dispersed by rainwater. The beech drops w

Sources

[1] Native Plant Trust: Go Botany. Epifagus virginiana — beech-drops. (nd.). https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/epifagus/virginiana/

[2] Beechdrops, Epifagus virginiana, Broomrape family (Orobanchaceae). (nd.). https://illinoiswildflowers.info/woodland/plants/beechdrops.htm

[3] Smith, Hanna. Beechdrops – A Native Parasitic Plant. 2020, October 15. https://guilford.ces.ncsu.edu/2020/10/beechdrops-a-native-parasitic-plant/?msclkid=99aa5e85c80a11ec954348e12a6e822c

[4] Virginia Native Plant Society. A Parasitic Lifestyle: Beechdrops and Their Relatives. 2020, December 16. https://vnps.org/a-parasitic-lifestyle-beechdrops-and-their-relatives/?msclkid=5bd24179c80f11ec9c562ee1da7a1db1