It comes as no surprise to regular readers of mine that I have a special place in my heart for parasites. I have waxed poetic about their global dominion, but usually, I focus on the animal kingdom’s most malicious moochers. Today, though, is all about plant parasites. Specifically, this lovely orchid:
光合成やめた植物「クロヤツシロラン」が、地下でも（栄養源として）、地上でも（送粉者を呼び寄せる道具として）キノコに頼って生きる「究極のニート生活」を行っていることを明らかにした論文をEcology誌に発表しました。面白い仕事だと自負しています。ぜひご覧下さい。https://t.co/Ucg52izBda pic.twitter.com/EW0IyQQEtA
— 末次 健司 (@tugutuguk) March 26, 2018
Meet Gastrodia pubilabiata, a plant that survives in the most un-planty way. That lack of green isn’t because it’s dying—it doesn’t photosynthesize. Instead, it’s what’s known as a mycoheterotroph: it relies on fungi for food. But according to a new paper in Ecology, this particular species doesn’t just suck the life from its mushroom hosts. Instead of offering nectar or other rewards for its pollinators, it uses the smell of the fungi rotting corpses to draw the flies that transport its reproductive dust. Continue reading “Orchid Mooch Steals Nutrients From Mushroom And Uses It To Fake Out Fly Pollinators”
