How parasitic plants avoid being parasitized
Plant Science Research WeeklyIt’s not too difficult to envision how a plant recognizes something very different from itself, like a bacterium, oomycete, or fungus. It’s a bit less obvious how a plant recognizes another plant as different from itself. This self-recognition is important when you think about parasitic plants, which…
How plant vampires strike: Mechanosensitive channels in haustorium formation
Plant Science Research WeeklyWhile the existence of vampires is up for debate, their botanical counterparts are very real - and much easier to find. Parasitic plants, such as Cuscuta campestris, wrap around their hosts, draining them of water and nutrients, and causing serious economic losses in agriculture. The first critical step…