Types of Parasitic Plants

There are two main types of parasitic plants Holoparasites and Hemiparasites.

Holoparasites: These parasites are also known as "obligate" because of their obligation to find a host in order to survive.

Nonphotosynthetic Vines- They are found in temperate and tropical regions of the world. These species are a part of the Cuscutacea family and are related in to the well-known vine, Morning Glory. Nonphotosynthetic vines are also known as Stem Parasites because their connection to hosts is through the stem.

Root Parasites- These are fleshy-stemmed parasites that fall into the Orobanchacease family. Root parasites have their parasitic connection the roots of their hosts.

(Ivy Broomrape, seen above, is a holoparasitic root parasite. Like other Broomrape species, it is named after its specific hosts, which in this case, are different types of ivy.)

Hemiparasites: These are also known as facultative parasites, meaning optional, because they are not completely parasitic. They are capable of both photosynthesis and parasitism.

These have green photosynthetic leaves, yet the plant uses carbon from the host plant's roots. Common types are hemiparasites are Indian paint brush, owl's clover (seen on the right) and lousewort. Because they are not completely parasitic, they are capable of living on their own, but studies show the plant is usually smaller and less vigorous if it lives without invading a host.