What is the difference between an orchid's relationship with a tree and a mistletoe's relationship with a tree?
The main difference between an orchid's relationship with a tree and a mistletoe's relationship with a tree is that orchids are epiphytic plants, meaning they grow on trees without parasitizing them. Orchids obtain nutrients and water from the air, rain, and decaying organic matter that accumulates around them, and they do not harm the host tree.
On the other hand, mistletoe is a parasitic plant that attaches itself to a tree's branches or trunk to obtain water and nutrients directly from the host tree. Mistletoe does not photosynthesize or produce its own food like most plants, and instead relies on the host tree for these resources. Over time, mistletoe can weaken and damage the host tree if left unchecked.