Haustoria help in survival of

Options

A. epiphytes
B. saprophytes
C. parasites
D. all of these

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Haustoria**: Haustoria are specialized structures that some plants develop to penetrate the tissues of their host plants. They are primarily associated with parasitic plants.

2. **Identifying the Types of Plants**: The question refers to four types of plants: epiphytes, saprophytes, parasites, and all of these.
- **Epiphytes** are plants that grow on other plants but do not derive nutrients from them. They typically absorb moisture and nutrients from the air and rain.
- **Saprophytes** are organisms that feed on dead or decaying organic matter. They do not require a host plant for survival.
- **Parasites**, on the other hand, are organisms that obtain their nutrients directly from a living host.

3. **Role of Haustoria in Parasites**: Haustoria are crucial for the survival of parasitic plants. They allow these plants to establish a physical connection with their host, enabling them to extract water and nutrients. This is essential for the parasite's growth and survival, as they often lack the ability to photosynthesize or produce their own food.

4. **Examples of Parasitic Plants**: A common example of a parasitic plant is Cuscuta (also known as dodder), which is a stem parasite. It wraps around its host and uses haustoria to draw nutrients from it.

5. **Conclusion**: Based on the function of haustoria and the types of plants discussed, the correct answer to the question is that haustoria help in the survival of **parasites**.

**Final Answer**: Haustoria help in the survival of **parasites**.

---