hemiparasitism

Hemiparasitism describes plants that are partially parasitic on a host plant. These plants, like mistletoe, possess chlorophyll and can perform photosynthesis but also siphon water and mineral nutrients from their host. This is distinct from holoparasites, which are entirely dependent on a host for all nutrition and cannot photosynthesize. Hemiparasites primarily rely on their hosts for water and minerals, while holoparasites are nonphotosynthetic and depend on their hosts for all nourishment. Parasitic plants, in general, use a specialized organ called a haustorium to penetrate the host and establish a vascular connection.123