Apodanthes

Apodanthes is a genus of flowering plants in the family Commelinaceae. It is native to South America, specifically in the tropical and subtropical regions of Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. The genus consists of perennial plants with creeping stems, often growing on rocks, trees, or other vegetation.

Apodanthes species are known for their unique mode of reproduction, called parasitism. They have filaments or threads that attach to the stems of other plants, usually Commelina and Murdannia species, and absorb water and nutrients from the host's xylem. This relationship is known as a haustorium.

The foliage of Apodanthes consists of narrow, linear or lance-shaped leaves arranged in a 2-ranked pattern. They are usually green or reddish-brown with pronounced midribs, often in a decussate arrangement. Inflorescences are axillary, comprising a flower spike covered with bracts or a basal phyllode that traps the leaves of the host plant around the seed to prevent drift. Flowers are urn-shaped and triangular, typically in shades of blue, purple, or pink. The seeds are small, trigonous bodies surrounded by sepals. Pollination is facilitated by insects, such as wasps and bees.

Some species of Apodanthes are of interest in scientific research due to their unique parasitic lifestyle, while others have the potential for horticultural use as an ornamental plant due to their distinct and eligible flowers.