Beechdrops

Beechdrops (Epifagus virginiana) is an obligate parasitic plant, lacking chlorophyll, that obtains nutrients and water 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.

Cluster of beechdrops growing at the base of an American beech.

Taxonomy

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

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

Description and Characteristics

Brown beechdrop plant with woody appearance.

Beechdrop plants averagely reach heights of 6-20 inches (15-50 cm.) at maturity. Generally brown in coloration, these plants are commonly mistaken to be woody or dying. Beechdrops are herbaceous, however. The stems and branches are skinny; ranging in color from yellow to darker reddish shades of brown, with vertical purple stripes that may darken with age. The leaves are underdeveloped and difficult to distinguish, appearing similar to small scales [2].

The visible flowers are small and tubular, growing alternately along the stems. After blooming in the late summer, between July and October, the flowers are a mixture of deep burgundy and cream [3]. These upper flowers are labeled as chasmogamous, or showy flowers. They grow about one inch long, on average, and are sometimes sterile. Bumblebees and ants are believed to be the primary pollinators of these chasmogamous flowers. The flowers on the lower base of the stem, in contrast, are self-fertilizing and do not open [1]. They are much smaller and more inconspicuous than the showy flowers, also being referred to as secret or cleistogamous flowers.

Blooming chasmogamous flowers on a Beechdrop plant.

Host Trees

Beechdrop plants can be found emerging at the base of American beech tree trunks. Beechdrops develop haustorium structures, allowing them to penetrate and grow into beech roots. This is necessary for the purpose of extracting nutrients, as the plants are not able to photosynthesize or produce food without the presence of chlorophyll [1]. Therefore, these parasitic plants depend entirely on beech trees for survival.

As the plants mature, the haustorium begins to diminish as an enlarged root tuber develops. Eventually, the parasitic plant and the host tree are connected through their roots and the beechdrops' tubers, instead of through the haustorium [3]. Since beechdrops are an annual flower that completely die off every fall, they have not been observed to cause lasting damage or harm to the host trees.

Life Cycle

Within the roots of American Beech trees, a chemical signal is released that is thought to trigger the germination of beechdrop plants. Older host trees have been linked with producing and releasing higher amounts of this chemical. In the beginning stages of development, beechdrop plants rely on nutrients from within the seed, temporarily independent from its host tree [3]. Before emerging from the soil to form an above ground structure, the freshly germinated plants are yellow and only a few millimeters in size. The parasitic beechdrops then develop haustorium structures and stabilize themselves to the roots of the host. As a plant reaches maturity, this haustorium will degrade as a tuber develops.

Beechdrop plants flower throughout late summer months and into autumn. Along with self-fertilized seeds, insect pollination of the chasmogamous flower produces cross pollinated seeds. insects have not been observed pollinating the self-fertile cleistogamous flowers [4]. The seeds of a beechdrop plant are very small and are commonly dispersed by the wind and rainwater.

Habitats and Environment

This parasitic plant is native to North America and can most often be found along the edges of temperate forests and woodlands, as well as rocky wooded slopes where the American Beech and Sugar Maple trees are commonly codominant [2]. Beechdrops primarily inhabit wooded habitats across Eastern Canada and throughout the Midwestern region of the United States. They have been documented significantly in the states of Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan. Though, these plants have also been observed along the East Coast from Maine to South Carolina, and even as far down as Texas.

Because of their complete reliance of their host and general sensitivity to environment, beechdrops are utilized as indicators of forest health [3]. These parasitic plants are not considered to be a concern to tree health, but rather the lack of its presence is a potential sign that forest health is declining.

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