BEECH DISEASES 



109 



plants. The beech-drop is confined to America and is found 

 throughout the range of the beech. The plants grow abun- 

 dantly under beech trees in the woods but it is doubtful whether 

 much appreciable damage is done to the tree. In this respect 

 they may be compared 

 with the mycorhizas 

 of tree-roots (see page 

 82). The beech- 

 drop plant is much 

 branched, leafless, 

 purplish-brown and 

 stands from four to 

 twelve inches high. 

 Small purplish flowers 

 are borne on the 

 stems in racemes. In 

 the soil the stem 

 ends in a white bulb- 

 like or elongate 

 rhizome which is cov- 

 ered with numerous 

 twisted, stiff out- 

 growths known as 

 grapplers. They serve 

 for support and may 

 absorb water and 

 mineral nutriment. 

 All beech-drop plants, 

 however, if carefully 

 dug, will be found to be attached to small beech roots. The 

 tissues of the rhizome of the parasite are fused with those 

 of the beech root so completely that at the point of attach- 

 ment it cannot be definitely recognized to which plant they 

 belong. The beech root is enlarged for some distance each way 



"Fig. 



12. — Beech wood decayed by Fames 

 applanatus. 



