Haustoria

Haustoria are specialised structures such as root-like organs or tubules, formed by some parasitic plants (species of the Orobanchaceae, Loranthaceae and Santalaceae families) to penetrate and exploit the cells of their host plants, to absorb nutrients and water from the host. They are essential for the survival of these parasitic plants, as they play a key role in their ability to obtain the resources necessary for their growth and development. In addition to their function as absorptive organs, haustoria are also involved in communication between the host and the parasite, causing changes in the physiology of the host plant and allowing the transfer of genetic material between the two. They represent an important part of the research and understanding of the parasitic plant-host interactions.