Hemiparasite

Quick meaning: Hemiparasite is a noun meaning (botany) Any parasitic plant that obtains energy by photosynthesis as well as from its host.

Meaning

(botany) Any parasitic plant that obtains energy by photosynthesis as well as from its host.

Example Sentences

Most mistletoes are "hemiparasites." This means they don't rely on their hosts for all their needs: Instead, they harvest the sun's energy to make some sugars for themselves. Nonetheless, if you're a tree, you don't want to be festooned with them. Two or three shouldn't be a problem, but dozens of mistletoes can lead to water stress, insect infestation or even death.

Word Forms

• hemiparasites

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include phytoparasite, heterophyte, myco-heterotroph, hemiepiphyte, ectophyte, phytosymbiont.

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