The Making of a Parasitic Plant : Caitlin Conn

: In this active learning lecture, the following learning objectives are addressed:

* Explore parasitic plants within the broad context of parasitism* Identify common adaptations among parasitic plants* Discuss the range of host dependence among parasitic plants

Parasitic plants are important in natural ecosystems and in agriculture. Parasitism is a successful life strategy that has convergently evolved in all kingdoms of life. Some parasitic plants indirectly steal nutrients from other plants by tapping into a fungal intermediate, while others form direct connections to hosts with a specialized invasive structure called a haustorium. Haustorial parasitism has convergently evolved multiple times among flowering plants, and stealing nutrients likely gives parasites a competitive advantage. To succeed as parasites, plants need mechanisms for host detection and for nutrient acquisition. Thus, similar traits have convergently evolved in plants with independent origins of parasitism. Finally, host dependence varies among parasitic plants.This video is designed to accompany the Teaching Tools in Plant Biology resource “It’s not easy being not green - the making of a parasitic plant.” developed by Dr. Caitlin Conn and Dr. David Nelson.