Parasitic Plants
Through life we find parasites in many shapes and forms, yes human too. Weekly Amazing Nature content topic Parasitic Plants hosted by 
Almost good enough to call the Hitchhikers Guide In Plant Life!
Plants that sponge off another, using natural resources offered by host plant, in most cases do not kill their food source and may thrive together sharing a limb of a tree or root for some time. Perhaps evolution is taking life into the plant kingdom a step further by using another tree to start life.
In our region we have a few of these notoriously adaptive plants which we remove from established trees not taking a chance as quite often they do pose a problem to the original tree.
Most dramatic example to show is the Strangler Figs (Ficus natalensis, F. lutea and F. stuhlmannii)
Extremely hostile fig we call the strangler fig starts off in host tree possibly a branch with sufficient nutrients to start. Spread by birds, monkeys depositing seed high up, the fig will send it's rooting down to the ground.
Slowly winding down the tree, strangling original tree which eventually dies off, the strangler fig takes over this patch of sunlight having a good start to life.
Fate is sealed, many years later when the strangler itself dies off the original tree will be evident in the remains, entombed in the tree trunk, stolen nutrients and water started the life of the plant on a branch, then throwing roots down to the soil eventually overcoming the tree while planting itself firmly in the ground.
Different parts of the plant depending on which region are used for a variety of different uses, looking at the strangler fig I would not be able to tell which is which so will not go into detail.
Hairy mistletoe or wood flower (Erianthemum dregei)
On a branch half way up the tree we noticed this flowering, these to my knowledge are not as destructive as the above mentioned giving a pretty flower, total growing size about 1.5m with flowers approximately 15mm in size.
Erianthemum dregei apparently is used in African traditional medicine, treating stomach problems children may have.
Parasitic plants are fascinating in being able to establish a life for themselves, one dwelling on another, each has different reasons for growth like this to get more reasoning into how this works I have placed the link below for those who would enjoy learning more.
All this talk about these invasive plants reminds me I do have a few that need to be removed with birds flying over planting or monkeys moving through there are some I am able to reach to snip off my bushes.
One I do not know that has flowered off of the Natal Plum Bush, unable to reach where it is embedded due to the thorns, so here it grows with no name!
All photography my own using Canon Powershot SX730 HS camera. Any queries or requests please drop a comment below or make contact with me, have a wonderful day! Photography without tripod, go with the flow wherever life takes you. NB: Amateur photographer in nature, keep smiling!
Thought for Today: "All plants are our brothers and sisters and they talk to us and if we listen we can hear them." - African Proverb
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