Premium
Germination and development of the soma in Boschniakia hookeri (Orobanchaceae)
Author(s) -
Olsen Sigurd,
Olsen Ingrith Deyrup
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
nordic journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.333
H-Index - 33
eISSN - 1756-1051
pISSN - 0107-055X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1756-1051.1981.tb00693.x
Subject(s) - biology , germination , orobanchaceae , botany , inflorescence , perennial plant , parasitic plant , taproot , soma , host (biology) , parasite hosting , ecology , neuroscience , world wide web , computer science
Germination of the holoparasitic angiosperm Boschniakia hookeri differs from the usual pattern among the Orobanchaceae. In most members of the family, the germinating seed develops a radix which establishes contact with the host root; in contrast, in B. hookeri the host root makes contact with the parasite seed, penetrates its testa, and association between host root and parasite embryo tissues is then established inside the testa. The germination and development of the perennial vegetative body, the soma, can be divided into ten stages, with characteristic changes from stage to stage. The first four stages range from the pre–germination through the germination proper, including physical contact between parasite and host root; formation of the soma, through development of the first stem bud, occurs in stages five to ten. The processes for the first six stages occur completely within the testa. The mature soma apparently produces flowers when it reaches a size around 15 mm in diameter and continues to grow. Maximum seems to be around 50–60 mm, where dense clusters of 10–12 inflorescences can occur.