
Why is there one patch of leaves in this tree?
Answer:
The patch of leaves is Mistletoe, a plant that is an obligate hemi-parasite. Obligate means that it must grow on another plant, and hemi-parasite means that it uses photosynthesis to produce some of its nutrients, while getting water and others from the host. Although it is a parasite, it actually helps many trees by attracting birds that spread the tree's seeds. They also spread the Mistletoe seeds, growing new Mistletoe plants.
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