How do parasitic plants get nutrients from living plants?

Parasitic plants obtain nutrients and water from a host plant through a specialized organ called a haustorium. This structure, which can originate from the parasite's roots or stems, penetrates the tissues of the host to establish a vascular union.12

Once this connection is formed, the parasite redirects the host's nutrients for its own use. The degree of dependence varies among species:1
* Hemiparasites retain some ability to photosynthesize and primarily rely on the host for water and mineral nutrients.2
* Holoparasites are nonphotosynthetic and depend entirely on the host for all their nutritional needs.2

To ensure survival, these plants have evolved various mechanisms to locate and identify suitable hosts, such as detecting chemical signals or volatile compounds released by the host plant. While many parasitic plants are botanical curiosities, some species are considered weeds that can cause significant damage to agricultural crops by arresting their growth and reducing yields.2