Toothwort

From Freepedia

? Toothwort
Image:Lathraea squamaria.jpg Common Toothwort (Lathraea squamaria)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Lamiales Family: Orobanchaceae Genus: Lathraea
Species
Seven species, including: Lathraea clandestina Lathraea japonica Lathraea squamaria

Toothwort (Lathraea) is a small genus of 7 species of flowering plants, native to temperate Europe and Asia. They are parasites on the roots of other plants, and are completely lacking chlorophyll. They are usually placed in the family Orobanchaceae, but some recent evidence suggests they should be transferred to the Scrophulariaceae.

Common Toothwort (Lathraea squamaria) is parasitic on the roots of hazel and alder, occasionally on beech, in shady places such as hedge sides. It consists of a branched whitish underground stem closely covered with thick, fleshy, colourless leaves, which are bent over so as to hide under the surface; irregular cavities communicating with the exterior are formed in the thickness of the leaf.

The only portions that appear above ground are the short flower-bearing shoots, which bear a spike of two-lipped dull purple flowers. The scales which represent the leaves also secrete water, which escapes and softens the ground around the plant.

Purple Toothwort (Lathraea clandestina) grows on the roots of alder, poplar and willow. It differs in the dark purple flowers being produced one on each stem.