Root hemiparasitic plants are found in almost every ecosystem and can profoundly affect surrounding community members. These organisms use unique belowground structures to attach to host plants, extract nutrients and water, but maintain the ability to photosynthesize independently. Surprisingly, they remain significantly understudied in their natural environment and thus are often underrepresented or omitted from community ecology theory. Our project aims to provide a holistic perspective on the impacts of these unique organisms in their native landscape by highlighting the above and below-ground impacts of these parasites on community structure, nutrient cycling, and biodiversity. In the Rocky Mountains, a root hemiparasitic plant called Castilleja septentrionalis will provide an excellent study organism due to its high abundance across many habitat types and elevations. To better understand these unique and charismatic organisms, I will collect demographic data, characterize microbial communities, and quantify carbon and nitrogen cycling. Ultimately, my results will shift the negative perspective of parasitism within plant communities towards a better understanding of the positive benefits that they provide to natural ecosystems.