Mojave Parasitic Plants

Desert parasitic plants are unique organisms that steal water and nutrients from host plants, with common examples including Desert Mistletoe (growing on trees like mesquite), Dodder (Cuscuta, yellow vines on shrubs), Desert Broomrape (Orobanche cooperi, root parasite on brittlebush), and Thurber's Stemsucker (Pilostyles, tiny flowers from pea shrubs), all adapted to arid environments by relying on hosts for survival, often lacking chlorophyll themselves.