Question

Witch's Brooms are:

Select one:
a. large, strange growths on trees caused by a parasitic wildflower
b. special mychorrhizae for getting nutrients from other plants
c. special leaves for capturing insects
d. special structures created by parasitoids for holding eggs and paralyzed prey
e. often seen at Halloween

Answer 1

Witch’s Brooms are abnormal growths on trees caused by parasites like fungi, insects, or mites, which induce the plant to form a dense mass of twigs.

Step-by-step explanation:

Witch’s Brooms are large, strange growths on trees caused by various types of parasites, including fungi, insects, and mites. These growths typically occur when the parasite alters the development of the plant's cells, causing a dense mass of twigs to form. Witch's Brooms can be caused by biotrophic fungi like powdery mildews and rusts, which create haustoria to feed off living plant tissue. Parasitic plants like dodder produce haustoria to penetrate the phloem of their hosts, obtaining nutrients. Gall-forming organisms are also considered parasites. Notably, Witch's Brooms are not related to mycorrhizae, special leaves for capturing insects, or structures created by parasitoids for laying eggs.