There are many examples of unusual plants, such as the pitcher plant that you have studied in
Chapter 13. Another highly unique plant is the Hydnora africana, which is indigenous to
deserts in southern Africa. The only portion of this plant that is visible above ground is a
fairly large fleshy orange and brown flower. There are no leaves or stems evident, but it has
an extensive root system that intertwines with the roots of another type of plant. Explain the
unusual lifestyle of this species. In addition, name a macronutrient that would not be needed
by this plant as much as it would in a traditional plant.
What will be an ideal response?
The Hydnora africana plant contains no chlorophyll and therefore cannot undergo photosynthesis. The
absence of chlorophyll is evident by its lack of stems and leaves and the fact that it has no green
coloration. Therefore, one would correctly assume that it obtains its nutrients by becoming a parasite
to a host plant. Since the Hydnora africana plant does not produce chlorophyll, it would require less
magnesium than a traditional plant.
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A wolf eats a rabbit that eats grass. The wolf is a(n) ________.
A. detritivore B. consumer C. autotroph D. producer
Phylogenies suggest that Anolis lizards colonized Hispaniola:
A. once. B. two or three times. C. four or five times. D. five or six times. E. a dozen times or more.
The Carboniferous period included
A. the development of large coal beds. B. flying insects with wing spans up to 75 centimeters. C. ferns and early plants that grew up to 40 meters in height. D. All of the answer choices are correct. E. sediment-dwelling invertebrates.
Viruses can enter animal cells by
A. endocytosis. B. exocytosis. C. poking holes in their membranes and entering. D. triggering an active transport mechanism.