Heteroicous

/ˌhɛtərˈɔɪʃəs/ adjective

Definition

In plant biology, describing parasitic organisms that spend different parts of their life cycle on different host species.

Etymology

From Greek 'hetero-' (different) and 'oikos' (house, dwelling). This botanical term specifically describes rust fungi and other parasites requiring alternate hosts to complete their life cycle.

Kelly Says

Wheat rust is heteroicous—it needs to live on wheat during one season and on barberry plants during another. Remove the barberry, and you break the entire disease cycle!

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