Pak. J. Bot., 41(6): 2661-2669, 2009. |
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Updated: 16-01-10 | ||||
ANATOMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF PARASITIC PLANTS OF PAKISTAN
MIR AJAB KHAN1, TAHSEEN SHARIF1, MUSHTAQ AHMAD1, MUHAMMAD ZAFAR1 AND RASOOL BAKHSH TAREEN2
Abstract: The gross anatomical characteristics of 5
parasitic plant species, viz., Cuscuta reflexa Roxb.
(Cuscutaceae), Orobanche aegyptiaca Pers. (Orobanchaceae),
Korthalsella opuntia (Thomb.) Merrill, Viscum album L., and
Viscum cruciatum Seib. Ex. Spreng. (Viscaceae) were investigated.
The vascular bundles of all these parasitic plants were less developed
having poorly developed phloem but well developed xylem. The most
interesting features were the presence of terminal sclereids in
Viscum cruciatum and brachysclereids in Korthalsella opuntia.
Terminal sclereids have not been reported previously in the genus. These
parasitic species show variation in the invasiveness of endophytic
tissue of haustorium into the host vascular tissue. Haustorium of
Cuscuta reflexa forms connection to the phloem of the host. The
haustorium was consisting of few threads of xylem and phloem which
penetrate only to the phloem tissue of the host. In Korthalsella
opuntia and Viscum cruciatum haustoria form connection to the
xylem of the hosts. The haustorium of Korthalsella opuntia
is well developed and surrounds the host xylem in the form of cup. 1Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan 2Botany Department, University of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan. |
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