Graniferous Tracheary Elements in the Haustorium of Osyris arborea Wall. (Santalaceae)

In the haustorium of Osyris arborea (a non-host specific roothemi-parasite) a distinct interrupted zone is present abovethe vascular core. The majority of the xylem elements in thevascular core are perforated. Graniferous tracheary elementsin this species are recorded for the first time. Cytochemicaltests showed the granules to be proteinaceous. The suggestedfunction of graniferous tracheary elements in the regulationof pressure and flow of sap is discussed. Osyris arborea, root hemi-parasite, Santalaceae, haustorium, graniferous tracheary elements, protein granules     

Establishment, Structure and Morphology of the Tuber of Balanophora

During germination of the ‘seed’ of Balanophora,endosperm cells at the radicular pole grow out as tubular structuresand anchor the ‘seed’ to the host rootlet. The radiculartier of cells of the embryo elongate as primary haustorial tubesand establish contact with the host root vasculature. A secondaryhaustorium arises from a meristem adjoining the primary haustorium.The remainder of the embryo contributes to the tuber proper. Host parenchyma in the immediate vicinity of the primary haustoriumreverts to meristematic activity. Some of the derivatives matureas perforate tracheary cells. The remainder, retaining meristematicactivity, squeeze themselves between secondary haustorial cellsand together initiate a composite conducting strand, which repeatedlydichotomizes as the tuber grows. The conducting strand of Balanophora is looked upon as the equivalentof combined adventitious root system of parasite and host. Theremaining part of the tuber is equivalent to the shoot. Balanophora, tuber, morphology, host-parasite relations, parasite     

Ontogeny and Organization of the Inflorescence in Balanophora

The locus of origin of the inflorescence in the tuber of BalanophoraJ.R. & G. Forst, is predetermined. A small nest of deep-seatedhypodermal cell-layers of the tuber, encircled by compositeconducting strands, becomes meristematic and organizes a morecompact club-shaped body. Its anterior broader end is sharplydelimited from the rest of the tuber tissue. One or two celllayers of the tuber abutting its broader end break down to forma lysigenous cavity that enlarges schizogenously. These changescoincide with cessation of growth of the composite conductingstrands. The inflorescence axis redifferentiates epidermal andhypodermal tissues prior to the initiation of flowers. The procambialsystem of the inflorescence originates from (1) the base ofthe inflorescence in the tuber and (2) the shoulder regionsof the composite conducting strands; the two extensively anastomosewith each other and yet remain wholly independent of the hostvasculature. Balanophora, inflorescence, ontogeny     

A new species of Viscum (Viscaceae) from Bandipur,Karnataka State, India

Viscum bandipurense M.C.Thriveni,G.R.Shivamurthy,K.N.Amruthesh,C.R.Vijay & K.B.Sadanand,sp.nov. (S2-2.Fig.1,S2-3.Fig.2) Type:India.Karnataka:Chamarajanagar District,BandipurNational Park,75 ° 12′ 17″ E to 76°51′32″ E and 11 °35′34″ N to 11 °57′02″ N,2010-09-10,M.C.Thriveni 181 (holotype,CAL;isotype,MUH).