Question

Which of the following is a parasitic plant?
A. Cactus
B. Salvia
C. Cuscuta
D. Cucumber

Answer 1

Hint: A parasitic plant is one that bears no chlorophyll and hence, not able to carry out photosynthesis. This plant has thin stems that are leafless and belong to the family Convolvulaceae.

Complete answer:
Option (A) is incorrect. Cactus is a succulent plant whose leaves have been modified to prevent water loss which belongs to the family Cactaceae. The stem of the cactus carries out the process of photosynthesis making it an independent plant.
Option (B) is incorrect. Salvia is the mint family’s largest genus. It is an independent plant that carries out photosynthesis because of the presence of chlorophyll in its leaves.
Option (C) is correct. Cuscuta belonging to the family Convolvulaceae is a parasitic plant that depends on other plants to derive its nutrients. It is not able to carry out the process of photosynthesis because of the absence of chlorophyll and hence, grows on other plants to use their nutrients and thereby weakening them.
Option (D) is incorrect. Cucumber belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae and possesses chlorophyll. Thus, it is not a parasitic plant as it produces organic nutrients by itself through photosynthesis and does not depend on other plants to obtain nutrients.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Note: Cuscuta, also known as Amar bail in India, is a parasitic plant that grows on other plants and uses their nutrients to grow, thereby weakening the host plant. It has been considered a destructive weed by agriculturists as it parasitizes cultivated plants and is destructive to certain commercially valuable crops such as beans, potatoes, and alfalfa.