Beechdrops

Beechdrops (Epifagus virginiana) is an obligate parasitic plant that obtains nutrients solely from the roots of American beech trees.

Classification

=Family:= Orobanchaceae
   Genus: Epifagus, Nutt.
      Kingdom: Plantae
         Species: E. virginiana

Description and Taxonomy

The beechdrops plant belongs to the family Orobanchaceae. The genus Epifagus is monotypic, only containing E. virginiana within it. The name Epifagus derives from the Greek "epi", meaning "on" or "upon", and "Fagus" which is the genus name of beech. Plants are 6-20" (15-50 cm) high, reddish brown in color, but herbaceous, not woody. Stems are light brown with purple stripes, darkening with age. Leaves are vestigial and nearly invisible, often described as scales. Flowers are about ½" (1.3 cm) long, shaped like a tube, sometimes square-edged, appearing alternately along the stems, a mixture of deep red/purple and white or yellow. From a distance their color is brownish, blending with that of the stems, so the flowers are easily overlooked. They bloom from August to October.

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.

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. From https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/epifagus/virginiana/

[2] From https://illinoiswildflowers.info/woodland/plants/beechdrops.htm

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