Lathraea squamaria: The Hidden Life of the Common Toothwort Parasitic Plant
The bagel they save for the regulars. Don't skim, savour.
Summary
This article discusses Lathraea squamaria (common toothwort), a holoparasitic plant that spends most of its life underground attached to the roots of deciduous trees like beech, hazel, aspen, and ash. It emerges only when its flowers appear, making it a hidden parasite in ravine forests.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledWhen it comes to parasites, for most people it is a case of 'out of sight, out of mind'
Lathraea squamaria is a parasitic plant that infects many different types of deciduous trees including beech, hazel, aspen, and ash
it spends most of its life underground as rhizomes clinging to the roots
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