PARASITIC PHENIGAMS 



365 



chlorophyll and the leaves are scale-like. Only the flowers 

 are like those of normal holoplytic plants. The dodder (love 

 vine, golden thread) is a curious example. When the seed 

 germinates on the ground a slender, leafless stem grows out. 

 It does not root in the ground, but lies flat on the surface. In 

 that way it continues to grow at one end, and if necessary, at 



FIG. 230. Dodder, or golden thread (Cuscuta). The weed host is completely 

 overspun by the parasite. The flowers and seed pods of the dodder are seen in 

 great numbers. Xi/2. 



the same time, absorbs its substance at the other end, so that 

 it grows along without having yet received any nourishment 

 except what was contained in the seed. When by this creep- 

 ing along the ground it comes in contact with certain green 

 plants, it attaches itself to them. It sends little root-like 



