Parasite: Jakkalskos (Hydnora africana)

[Jumbo]

During a visit to our house in Marloth, two weeks ago, we found the strangest “plants”.

Initially we noticed a whole lot of places where it seems the grounds was pushed up from below…..

Larger view

When we opened this up we found what looks like a type of root…

Larger view

Walking around we found some of these “roots” that opened up…what a strange thing!!

Larger view

Even the old man that helps us in the “garden” does not know what this is and says he has never seen something like this before…and I have to add that he know the bush very well….any ideas on what this is ?

[Imberbe]

I have seen something very similar around Phalaborwa. I suspect that it is the fruiting body of some type of parasitic plant. The specimen I saw was appearing next to a Knobthorn tree. I suspect that they may be parasitic on the Knobthorn roots?

Maybe someone knows more? It would be great to have some info!

[Jumbo]

Well, one thing I can tell you…our house is surrounded by Knobthorn Trees!!! …and there is quite a big one close to where we found this!!
Very interesting!!

[Imberbe]

I dug one up and kept it. It is a hollow cylinder approx. 10 cm in length. It dried out to a hollow hard brown object. The inside "fruit" rotted.

[Jumbo]

I did some “google-ing” …no luck ….really hope there is somebody who might help us out with this.
If this is indeed a parasite, I would also want to know if it will have any affect on the tree….this specific Knob-thorn is our most favourite tree in the whole world …might sound stupid, but we are very sentiment about it.

[Imberbe]

The knobthorn under which I found them had several of these plants appearing. It is now two years later, and the tree is just fine. I do not think there is anything to worry about. It is usually in the interest of the parasite to keep the host alive, as it is dependent on it for survival.

[Jumbo]

Thanks Imberbe…pew, I got a bit stressed there ……that tree is actually like part of the family …

[Katamboega]

]Hydnora africana .Jakkalskos

parasites Euphorbiaceae species.

[Imberbe]

Thanks Katamboega.

That is what I saw. Interesting, I have learnt something new here. The ecology is very interesting.

Plantz africa

There were no Euphorbiaceae in the area that I noticed.... only the Knobthorn, but I will have to go and check whether there may not in fact be a Tamboti nearby ...