Semi Parasite Collection

Mistetoe (Viscum album) leaves and white berries of traditional Christmas sprig

A cow-wheat / brothers and sisters - Transylvania
ROG-13683 A cow-wheat / brothers and sisters Transylvania, Romania Melampyrum biharense Bob Gibbons contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Field Cow-wheat - in grassland above Mihai Viteazu
ROG-13676 Field Cow-wheat - in grassland above Mihai Viteazu Romania Melampyrum arvense Bob Gibbons contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Mistletoe Viscum album, male flower in late winter
ROG-13607 Mistletoe male flower in late winter. Dorset, UK Viscum album Bob Gibbons contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Crested Cow-wheat - very rare in UK
ROG-13672 Crested Cow-wheat - very rare in UK Romania Melampyrum cristatum Bob Gibbons contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Tundra / Western Paintbrush - Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA, North America
ROG-13804 Tundra / Western Paintbrush Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA Castilleja occidentalis Bob Gibbons contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Rosy Paintbrush - in flower Rustler's Gulch, Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, near Crested Butte, The Rockies
ROG-13819 Rosy Paintbrush - in flower Rustler's Gulch Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, near Crested Butte, The Rockies, Colorado

Osyris alba in flower. Photographed in Andalucia, Spain

Common lousewort (Pedicularis sylvatica) flowers. Photographed in the Cairngorms National Park, Scottish Highlands, in June

Mistletoe on a tree
Mistletoe plants (Visicum album) on a tree. Mistletoe is a partial parasite, it bears evergreen leaves which carry out some photosynthesis of their own

Alpine bartsia (Bartsia alpina). Photographed in July

Castilleja miniata
Giant red Indian paintbrush flowers (Castilleja miniata) Photographed in the Sierra Nevada, California, USA

Mistletoe stem, light micrograph
Mistletoe stem. Polarised light micrograph of a transverse section through the stem of a mistletoe (Viscum album) plant. The epidermis (outer layer)

Mistletoe Viscum album with berries, midwinter. Widespread semi-parasite of trees. On apple, Dorset
ROG-13360 Mistletoe - with berries, midwinter Widespread semi-parasite of trees. On apple, Dorset. UK Viscum album Bob Gibbons Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

Common cow-wheat (Melampyrum pratense) in woodland, Devon
ROG-12591 Common cow-wheat in woodland Devon, UK Melampyrum pratense Bob Gibbons Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Small cow-wheat (Melampyrum sylvaticum); very rare in UK
ROG-12592 Small cow-wheat very rare in UK Melampyrum sylvaticum Bob Gibbons Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Red bartsia (Odontites verna), Dorset
ROG-12728 Red bartsia Dorset. UK Odontites verna Bob Gibbons Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Red-berried Mistletoe - in hawthorn high in the Middle Atlas Mountains, Morocco
ROG-13578 Red-berried Mistletoe - in hawthorn high in the Middle Atlas Mountains Morocco. Viscum cruciatum Bob Gibbons Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

A cow-wheat (Melampyrum nemorosum), from Sweden and the Alps
ROG-12792 A cow-wheat from Sweden and the Alps Melampyrum nemorosum Bob Gibbons Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Moor-king (Pedicularis sceptrum-carolinae). A northern lousewort, Sweden
ROG-12600 Moor-king - A northern lousewort Sweden. Pedicularis sceptrum-carolinae Bob Gibbons Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Lapland lousewort (Pedicularis lapponica) in flower, Norway
ROG-12612 Lapland lousewort in flower Norway Pedicularis lapponica Bob Gibbons Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Red-berried Mistletoe - in hawthorn bush in snowy weather - high in the Middle Atlas Mountains, Morocco
ROG-13552 Red-berried Mistletoe - in hawthorn bush in snowy weather high in the Middle Atlas Mountains, Morocco. Viscum cruciatum Bob Gibbons Please note that prints are for personal display purposes

Alpine bartsia (Bartsia alpina). Rare in UK
ROG-12579 Alpine bartsia Rare in UK Bartsia alpina Bob Gibbons Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Field cow-wheat. Very rare in UK
ROG-11471 Field cow-wheat Very rare in UK Melampyrum arvense Bob Gibbons Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in anyway

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

"Nature's Intricate Connections: Exploring the Semi-Parasite Phenomenon" In the enchanting world of flora, certain plants have evolved to thrive in a unique and fascinating way. Enter the realm of semi-parasites, where botanical marvels like mistletoe and cow-wheat forge intricate relationships with their hosts. These captivating species captivate our imagination as we delve into their intriguing characteristics. Mistletoe (Viscum album) emerges as an emblem of festive traditions, adorning doorways during Christmas time with its vibrant leaves and white berries. Yet beneath its charming facade lies a semi-parasitic nature, drawing sustenance from its host tree while still producing energy through photosynthesis. This delicate balance between dependency and self-sufficiency showcases nature's remarkable adaptability. Venturing across continents, we encounter Field Cow-wheat - an elusive rarity within the United Kingdom. Found primarily in Transylvania alongside its brothers and sisters, this resilient plant thrives amidst grasslands above Mihai Viteazu. Its ability to tap into nearby roots for nutrients exemplifies how even seemingly parasitic relationships can harmoniously coexist within ecosystems. Crested Cow-wheat further astounds us with its scarcity in the UK's natural landscape. A testament to resilience against adversity, this exquisite flower reminds us that beauty often hides in unexpected places. Across vast landscapes such as Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming or Rustler's Gulch near Crested Butte in Colorado, Western Paintbrush and Rosy Paintbrush grace us with their vivid hues. While not true parasites themselves, these stunning flowers rely on mycorrhizal fungi for survival—a symbiotic partnership that allows both parties to flourish together. Delving deeper into this wondrous world of semi-parasites leads us to Osyris alba—an enigmatic shrub found throughout Europe—whose relationship with surrounding trees remains shrouded in mystery.