Beechdrops

Beechdrops (Epifagus virginiana) is an obligate parasitic plant that obtains nutrients directly from the American beech.

Description and Taxonomy

The beechdrops plant belongs to the family Orobanchaceae. The genus Epifagus is monotypic, containing only E. virginiana. The name Epifagus derives from the Greek "epi", meaning "on" or "upon", and "Fagus" which is the genus name of beech.[1]

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. E. virginiana does not tolerate disturbances in its connection to F. grandifolia.

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

Sources

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