Once germination is stimulated, the ''Striga ''seed sends out an initial root to probe the soil for the host root. The initial root secretes an oxidizing enzyme that digests the host root surface, releasing [[quinone]]<nowiki/>s.<ref>{{Cite journal|url = |title = The haustorium and the chemistry of host recognition in parasitic angiospermaeangiosperms|last = Chang|first = M|date = 1986|journal = Journal of Chemical Ecology|accessdate = |doi = |pmid = }}</ref> If the quinone product is within the appropriate concentrations, a haustorium will develop from the initial root. The haustorium grows toward the host root until it makes contact with the root surface, establishing parasitic contact in relatively short order. Within 12 hours of initial haustorium growth, the haustorium recognizes the host root and begins rapid cell division and elongation.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|url = |title = Primary haustorial development and Striga asiatica on host and nonhost species|last = Hood|first = M.E.|date = 1997|journal = The American Phytopathological Society|accessdate = |doi = |pmid = }}</ref> The haustorium forms a wedge shape and uses mechanical force and chemical digestion to penetrate the host root, pushing the host cells out of the way.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|url = |title = How Striga parasitizes its host: a TEM and SEM study|last = Dorr|first = Inge|date = 1996|journal = Annals of Botany|accessdate = |doi = |pmid = }}</ref> Within 48–72 hours, the haustorium has penetrated the host root [[Cortex (botany)|cortex]].<ref name=":0" /> Finger-like structures on the haustorium, called osculum, penetrate the host xylem through pits in the membrane.<ref name=":1" /> The osculum then swell to secure their position within the xylem membrane. ''Striga'' [[sieve tubes]] develop along with the osculum. Shortly after the host xylem is penetrated, ''Striga ''sieve tubes develop and approach the host phloem within eight cells.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title = Sieve elements: comparative structure, induction, and development|last = |first = |publisher = Springer-Verlag Berline Heidelberg|year = 1990|isbn = |location = |pages = 239–256}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|url = |title = Symplastic sieve element continuity between Orobanche and its host|last = Dorr|first = Inge|date = 1995|journal = Botanica Acta|accessdate = |doi = |pmid = }}</ref> This eight cell layer allows for nonspecific nutrient transport from the host to the ''Striga'' seedling.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> Within 24 hours after tapping the host xylem and phloem, the ''Striga'' cotyledons emerge from the seed.<ref name=":0" />
