It is believed that the older the host tree, the more this chemical is released. The roots of the host release a chemical that trigger the germination of E. Beechdrops grows on shallow roots at varying distances from the trunk of F. virginiana grows off of the roots of its host but is not known to cause significant harm to the beech tree. It has been found on maple trees but it is believed this is a case of mistaken identity. Host and symptoms Įpifagus virginiana, also known as beechdrops, is an obligate parasite to Fagus grandifolia, beech trees. īeechdrops contain very small alternate, scale like leaves, which are a vestigial structure from an ancestor which was photosynthetic. The flowers on the lower parts of the plant are cleistogamous (self-pollinating) while the tops of the stems have chasmogamous (cross-pollinating) flowers which may be sterile. The dried flower stalks will persist throughout the winter. The flowers have tubular, zygomorphic, corollas ~8mm long containing a single style and four stamens. It entirely lacks chlorophyll and produces many brown stems up to 30 cm tall on which it bears small white and purple flowers that appear in July through October. Description īeechdrops is a parasitic plant native to eastern North America. The name Epifagus derives from Greek "epi" meaning "on" or "upon", and "Fagus" which is the genus name of beech. The genus Epifagus is monotypic-containing only E. It is a member of the family Orobanchaceae. Epifagus virginiana, commonly called beech drops (or beech-drops, or beechdrops), is an obligate parasitic plant which grows and subsists on the roots of American beech.
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