Parasite power: in the perpetual race between parasite and host, evolution appears the winner.

From: Science News | Date: September 29, 1990| Author: Cowen, Ron | Copyright information

Parasite Power

When the parasitic fungus Ustilago violacea infects a roadside weed called catchfly, casual observers might notice little difference in the plant. The abundant white blossoms do open a few weeks earlier in the growing season, and their centers take on a purplish tinge. Yet when bees, butterflies and other pollinators begin collecting the dusty grains on the flower's sex organs, business seems to proceed as usual.

Except that these grains aren't...

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