For example:
1) Loranthus sp. is an obligate parasitic plant that depends its nutrient supply on other plant's transport system.
2) Venus sp. is an insectivorous plant (heterotroph)
However, they both are green in colour.
Is the pigment chlorophyle?
If yes, what do they need chlorophyle for if they do not require photosynthesis to keep them alive?
Thanks.
Hi
very interesting question!
First, parasitic plants are classified into holoparasites and hemiparasites. the holoparasites are not green, lack chlorophyll and do not perform photosynthesis, so they depend completely on their hosts to get nutrition. Whereas, the hemiparasites like Loranthus europaeus show some ability to do photosynthesis while they are attacking a host, so they are green and have chlorophyll.
Second, carnivorous plants are photosynthetic like other plants. They evolved such carnivory to get nutrient especially nitrogen from their prey.
Best regards
Mohammad
Mohammad Issawi ooh i seee... so they degrade the organic compounds of the organisms they prey, and use the degraded componds for photosynthesis. It's like a 2-step pathway then. Thanks for your help :)
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