Redescription of Dendrophthoe falcata (L. f.) Ettingsh (Loranthaceae) with notes on haustorium

Abstract

Morphology of Dendrophthoe falcata (L. f.) Ettingsh var coccinea is described in detail from West Bengal with notes on the histology of haustorium. Structural peculiarity of the style is explained in the light of embryo sac development. Section of immature fruit shows different zones including embryo. Three types of haustoria namely woody gall, clasping union ad epicortical root is observed in different species of the host plant. Section of haustorium shows penetration peg which reach the host xylem to suck the sap. In guava plant, two types of haustoria develop - primary or true haustorium which penetrate the host stem and secondary haustorium which develop in between two roots of the parasite. Secondary haustorium is oval in shape with a few concentric rings like thickening and never develops penetration peg.