PRETTY BUT NOT NICE NEIGHBOUR
GEOSIRIS australiensis, not only represents a fascinating biological link between the lands that made up the ancient continent Gondwana, the plant’s lifestyle is very curious as well. Australian Tropical Herbarium director Professor Darren Crayn said the plant was a close relative of the iris, but instead of making its own food via photosynthesis, it was also parasitic. “It steals its food from neighbouring plants of other species, not directly, but via a fungal thief,” he said. “The fungus forms filaments in the soil that invade the roots of both the victim and the recipient, which then act as a tunnel through which the food flows to the latter. A nifty little trick.”