REVIEW ON DEPENDENT PLANTS 89 



Review. — What is an independent plant? Dependent? Give 

 examples. How are dependent plants distinguished from others in 

 looks? Define parasite. Saprophyte. Give examples. What is a 

 host? How does a parasitic fungus live on its host? What are 

 hyphse? What is mycelium? What are root-parasites? Give 

 examples. What is a mycorrhiza? What is the relation of the soil 

 fungus to its host? What is the role or office of saprophytes in 

 nature? Are parasites ever green ? Explain. What has probably 

 been the evolution of most parasites and saprophytes? What is an 

 epiphyte? Give examples. How do they live? Why may they 

 have become epiphytes? 



Note — Usually, the most available parasite is the dodder. It 

 is common in swales from July until autumn, winding its coral- 

 yellow stems about herbs and soft-growing bushes. It is a degraded 

 member of the morning-glory family. It produces true flowers and 

 seeds. These seeds germinate the following spring. The slender 

 young vine grows from the ground for a time, but if it fails to find a 

 host, it perishes. 



The cultivated mushroom, a saprophytic plant. 



