Parasitic plants, such as mistletoe and dodder, play unique roles in ecosystems by deriving nutrients and water from their host plants. While often viewed negatively due to their parasitic nature, these plants can influence host plant health and community dynamics. By competing for resources, they can affect biodiversity and even alter habitat structures. Additionally, parasitic plants may serve as food sources for certain species, demonstrating their complex interactions within the larger ecological framework. Their presence highlights the variability of plant relationships.