Parasitic plant with shrunken genome convinces hosts to grow into its own flesh

Re:Parasitic plant with shrunken genome convinces hosts to g... by mock-possum on Saturday September 30, 2023 @04:50AM (#37713734)

> Balanophora induces the vascular system of their host plant to grow into a tuber, forming a unique underground organ with mixed host-parasite tissue. This chimeric tuber is the interface where Balanophora steals nutrients from its host plant.

Cool.

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Re:Parasitic plant with shrunken genome convinces hosts to g... by yawnxyz on Saturday September 30, 2023 @07:34AM (#37714469)

So basically it forces the host to make something like… potatoes? Is it edible? Does it taste good? Is this a new way to engineer random plants to make potatoes for us?

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Re:Parasitic plant with shrunken genome convinces hosts to g... by minitoar on Saturday September 30, 2023 @10:17AM (#37715656)

Interesting. I would like an onion potato.

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Re:Parasitic plant with shrunken genome convinces hosts to g... by rad_gruchalski on Sunday October 01, 2023 @09:33AM (#37725807)

And sour cream, with a sprinkle on steak pepper.

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Re:Parasitic plant with shrunken genome convinces hosts to g... by ceejayoz on Saturday September 30, 2023 @12:04PM (#37716763)

You want to... eat the parasite that convinces its host to grow new weird parts?

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Re:Parasitic plant with shrunken genome convinces hosts to g... by rubatuga on Saturday September 30, 2023 @05:29PM (#37720027)

Nothing that stops parasites from being tasty or nutritious! Unless it's tapeworms!

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