Noun
host plant (plural host plants)
(biology) A plant that supplies food resources and substrate for certain insects or other fauna.
Caterpillars can exhibit shades of green that match its host plant. Source: Internet
Diagram illustrating how Cuscuta uses haustoria to penetrate the vascular system of its host plant and remove sugars and nutrients from the host's phloem. Source: Internet
If dodder is found before it chokes a host plant, it may be simply removed from the soil. Source: Internet
Rod Preece, Sins of the Flesh: A History of Ethical Vegetarian Thought, UBC Press, 2008, "Since plants have life, it is necessary, if one is not to starve, to live from the fruit of the plant in such a manner that the host plant itself does not die." Source: Internet
Dodder ranges in severity based on its species and the species of the host, the time of attack, and whether any viruses are also present in the host plant. Source: Internet
Host plant-rust fungus relationship There are definite patterns of relationship with host plant groups and the rust fungi that parasitize them. Source: Internet