Aussie Driver Uncovers Amazing ‘Parasitic’ Christmas Tree
An Aussie driver discovers a unique parasitic tree while driving through Treeton, revealing its surprising and aggressive nature
Treeton, Western Australia, WA Christmas Tree, Nuytsia Floribunda, Parasite, Stephen Blakeney
Treeton: Last week, a local driver named Stephen Blakeney made a fascinating discovery while cruising through his hometown. He spotted a stunning Western Australian Christmas tree, known for its vibrant golden flowers. This tree, however, has a secret—it’s one of the biggest parasites around!
At 70 years old, Stephen had seen this tree many times before. He knew it was a parasite but didn’t realize just how aggressive it could be. He shared that his grandfather, a keen botanist, introduced him to this tree when he was a kid. It’s funny how you can learn something new about something you thought you knew!
Stephen loves the majestic look of the WA Christmas Tree and always keeps an eye out for it during the holiday season. He’s driven that road countless times and still finds joy in spotting it each year.
This tree, part of the mistletoe family, blooms every December and can grow up to seven meters tall. What’s wild is that it can “hunt” other plants from as far as 110 meters away! It uses sharp blades in its roots to pierce the roots of other plants, which is pretty intense.
When the WA Christmas Tree finds its prey, it wraps around the root and sends a blade to slice it up. It’s like something out of a nature documentary! Stephen mentioned that these blades are so sharp they can even cut through electrical cables.
Interestingly, this tree can sometimes get a bit confused and attack its own roots. It doesn’t really care what it’s munching on; any plant is fair game. These trees are common in southwest Australia and bloom beautifully in summer, holding cultural significance for the Noongar people.