Purple Toothwort (Lathraea clandestina)

  

 Purple Toothwort

The purple toothwort (native to Belgium, France, Spain, and Italy) is a perennial, parasitic plant, found at the base of trees; particularly species of Willow, Alder, and Poplar. This plant is parasitic in nature, due to the absence of chlorophyll, explaining the lack of any greenery on the plant. To attain nutrients a haustorium is developed (a projection from the root), and connects to the xylem of the host tree. 

It has been said that toothwort feeds on insects underground, due to cavities that appear similar to those of carnivorous plants, but the cavities are intended for the evaporation of excess water; the plant lives entirely on nutrients from its host tree.

The toothwort grows up to 30cm in height, with stems being completely subterranean. Flowers are said to only form after 10 years of presence and last for around two months; giving enough time for the plant to be pollinated and reproduce. Thus, it is rare to see any sign of the plant with the majority being subterranean. Having a high ammonia content and very alkaline nectar, the toothwort doesn't have many pollinators; bumblebees are one of the few pollinators that tolerate this nectar. The plant will flower again no sooner than 10 months, and sometimes even years after its first bloom. 

Map showing the reported distribution of purple toothwort (Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland, N.D).

Reference:

plantatlas2020.org. (n.d.). PlantAtlas. [online] Available at: https://plantatlas2020.org/atlas/2cd4p9h.c6c [Accessed 26 Mar. 2023].