IRREGULAR NUTRITION 



191 



closely round the host plant, and are attached by numerous suckers 

 along the surface of contact. Though the seedling germinates in the 

 soil, the parasite after making its attachment to the host, loses its hold 

 on the soil. It thus becomes entirely dependent on the host for its 



FIG. 142. 



Cuscuta europaea, on the right germinating seedlings. In the middle a plant of 

 Cuscuta parasitic on Willow : b, reduced leaves of the floral region ; Bl, flowers. 

 On the left cross-section of the host, showing haustoria, H, in intimate contact 

 with the vascular strands. (After Strasburger.) 



supply of water and soluble salts. Since it has no chlorophyll, it is 

 also dependent on the host for its organic supply. It is in fact a 

 complete parasite. 



A marked feature is the absence of foliage leaves in the vegetative 

 region of the Dodder. There are not even any cotyledons on the 

 embryo. This is to be connected with the parasitic nutrition ; there 



