Hydnora africana – Unique Plants!
Recommended for Foundational Grades
Hydnora africana is a parasitic plant, belonging to the family Hydnoraceae. It is native to southern Africa and is also called jakkalskos or jackal food.
What is a parasitic plant?
A parasitic plant is a plant that derives some or all of its nutritional requirements from another living plant.
Important Details
- The plant grows underground, except for a fleshy flower that emerges above the ground.
- The flower takes up to two years to ripen fully.
- The ripe flower emits an unpleasant smell to attract its natural pollinators – dung beetles and carrion beetles.
- These plants do not have chlorophyll and do not perform photosynthesis.
- Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use the energy from sunlight to produce glucose from carbon dioxide and water.
- The fruit is used for tanning and preserving fishnets and more.
- Birds and small animals also eat the fruit of the Hydnora africana.
What other types of parasitic plants have you read about? Tell us about them.
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