Question

Monotropa is a

(a)Saprophyte

(b)Symbiont

(c)Parasite

(d)Insectivorous plant

Answer 1

Hint: A saprophytic organism such as plants and animals does not have chlorophyll and gets its food from dead matter, similar to bacteria and fungi. Plants like these use enzymes to convert organic food materials into simpler forms from which they can absorb nutrients.

Complete answer:

Monotropa (Indian pipe) is categorized within the family Monotropaceae and presently are categorized in Ericaceae. They are native to temperate regions of the hemisphere and are generally rare. Contrary to many plants, they do not possess chlorophyll and thus are non-photosynthetic. They are myco-heterotrophs as they establish a parasitic relationship with any subterranean fungi and obtain essential nutrients from them. Because they do not need any sunlight to live, they will live in very dark sites like the ground of deep sylvae.

<b>Note:</b> 

Additional information:
Around 400 species of angiosperm plants, plus one gymnosperm (Parasitaxus usta), are parasitic on mycorrhizal fungi. This effectively gives these plants the ability to become associated with many of the other plants around them. They are termed myco-heterotrophs. Few myco-heterotrophs examples are such as Indian pipe (Monotropa uniflora), snow plant (Sarcodes sanguinea), nest orchid (Neottia nidus-avis), sugar stick (Allotropa virgata), and underground orchid (Rhizanthella gardneri). Within the taxonomic Ericaceae, known for extensive mycorrhizal relationships, there are the Monotropoids. Myco-heterotrophic behavior is commonly accompanied by the loss of chlorophyll.

So, the correct answer is ‘Saprophyte’.

Note: Indian Pipe plant, also known as Ghost Flower and Monotropa Uniflora, is a unique and interesting plant found in shady woods that are rich in decaying plant matter.