When
Noon – 1 p.m., Oct. 30, 2025
Where
Uninvited Guests – the Lifestyles of Parasitic Plants
Humans often harbor prejudice regarding parasites, but parasitic plants have evolved fascinating adaptive strategies for their lifestyles, as well as providing some surprising benefits to wildlife and people. Although only 1% of angiosperms are parasitic, they are very successful. What factors foster the evolution of parasitism? What stimulates germination and how do these plants find their host? How do parasitic plants affect community structure? Let’s dig a bit deeper to see what’s really going on under the surface with these plants.