20Mode of nutrition and Habitat in plants

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MODE OF NUTRITION
Autotrophs: Self nutrition → inorganic substances → organic food
Heterotrophs:
Saprophytes: Dead/decaying organic matter → nutrition
Parasites:

Table 1: Parasitic Plants

Type
Subtype
Examples
Root parasite
Total root parasite
Rafflesia, Balanophora, Orobanche
Root parasite
Partial root parasite
Santalum, Thesium
Stem parasite
Total stem parasite
Cuscuta / Dodder plant
Stem parasite
Partial stem parasite
Loranthus, Viscum
Insectivorous Plants:
Examples:
  • Nepenthes / Pitcher plant
  • Utricularia / Bladderwort
  • Drosera / Sundew plant
Dischidia vs Nepenthes:

Table 1: Dischidia vs Nepenthes

Feature
Dischidia
Nepenthes
Lid
Absent
Present
Nutrition
Non-insectivorous
Insectivorous
Pitcher Function
Water storage
Insect trapping
Nest Root
Present in pitcher
Absent
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HABITAT IN PLANTS
Hydrophytes:

Table 1: Types of Hydrophytes

Type
Position / Habitat
Key Features
Examples
Free floating hydrophytes
Float freely on water surface; not rooted in soil
Contact with water + air
Examples:
  • Eichhornia → spongy petiole
  • Pistia → spongy petiole
  • Lemna
  • Wolffia
Free floating submerged hydrophytes
Below water surface; not in contact with atmosphere
Not rooted in soil
Examples:
  • Ceratophyllum
  • Utricularia
Rooted floating hydrophytes
Rooted in mud; leaves + flowering shoots float on water surface
Floating leaves / shoots
Examples:
  • Trapa
  • Nelumbo
  • Nymphaea
  • Marsilea
  • Victoria → spongy petioles
Rooted submerged hydrophytes
Completely immersed in water; rooted in mud
Submerged plant body
Examples:
  • Hydrilla
  • Vallisneria
Emergent / Amphibious hydrophytes
Shallow water
Roots + some stem/leaf parts submerged; flowering shoots above water surface
Examples:
  • Limnophylla
  • Ranunculus
  • Sagittaria
  • Typha