A simple photograph of what has been characterized as one of the “biggest parasites in the world” shows a native Australian tree in a “spectacular” bloom of golden orange blooms, showing the hidden uniqueness found in the Australian outback.
Stephen Blakeney, 70, saw the ‘Western Australian Christmas tree’ while passing through the appropriately called town of Treeton, Western Australia, on Wednesday. He told Yahoo News that he understood the tree was a parasite but had no clue it was such an efficient killer until he checked it up later, after being intrigued by the sight of the flowering tree.
“I knew that it was a parasite when I took the photo,” he told me. “My grandfather on my mother’s side was a very keen botanist, and he actually introduced me to the tree when I was quite young, but I didn’t actually know that it was quite so aggressive.”
Blakeney noted that the grand aspect of the WA Christmas Tree, also known as nuytsia floribunda, deserved respect in the environment, and that he would often “look out for it” when traveling.
“I’ve seen it for many years and drove up and down that road several times. “I always look for it around this time of year,” he remarked.
WA Christmas Tree attacks with ‘sharp blades’ up to 110m away
The tree species, which belongs to the mistletoe family, was named for the fact that it blooms every December. It is also known as the Moodja tree and can only grow to a height of seven meters.
It can “hunt prey” from up to 110 meters away by employing “sharp blades” in its root system to puncture the roots of other plants. Australian Geographic reports that the blades are so sharp that they may suck blood.
When the root of a WA Christmas Tree comes into contact with the root of its victim, it creates a tissue collar around it before a hydraulically powered blade forms within and cuts the prey into pieces.
“The blades have been known to sever electrical cables and telephone lines in their search for nutrients,” Blakeney told reporters. “The vegetation around [the tree in Treeton] has all been cleared anyway, but it still seems to survive.”
Its hunger may also mislead the tree; the species has been known to attack its own root system by accident. “It doesn’t discriminate, any form of plant is potential prey,” he went on.
The trees are located across southwest Australia and bloom abundantly in summer with golden blooms that are culturally significant to the region’s Noongar people.
Also See: How to Pet-Proof Your Christmas Trees
