A Short Survey for New Hosts of <i>Helicanthes elastica</i> (Desr.) Danser and its Morphological Diversity on Selected Hosts

T. G. Ajith Kumar; Lizzy Mathew

doi:10.36808/if/2020/v146i2/151211

A Short Survey for New Hosts of Helicanthes elastica (Desr.) Danser and its Morphological Diversity on Selected Hosts

Authors

T. G. Ajith Kumar KKTM Govt College, Kodungallur, Thrissur, Kerala
Lizzy Mathew St. Teresas College, Ernakulam, Kerala

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36808/if/2020/v146i2/151211

Keywords:

Helicanthes elastica, Loranthaceae, Epicortical Roots, Haustoria, Bark.

Abstract

Helicanthes elastica a common Loranthacean parasite abundantly grows on many trees ofurban areas. The survey for new hosts revealed that apart from angiosperm hosts the parasite started invading gymnosperms trees too. The growth pattern of this parasite found varied among selected hosts. The bark characteristics and peripheral tissue system ofhosts determine the pattern growth ofH.elastica on them. The quantitative morphological features found not altered much by the influence ofhosts but the other characters like spreading ofepicortical runners, branching o f haustoria and its penetration into the host found altered due to the effect ofhost trees.

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