Anatomy of the haustorium of Jodina rhombifolia (Santalaceae)

Abstract

The structure of the haustorium of Jodina rhombifolia in material from Argentina was analysed. Self‐haustoria and interespeciñc haustoria, the latter on Celtis tala and Scutia buxifolia, were detected. Different developmental stages of the haustorium were found, since immature to mature ones. Features such as the gland, the interrupted zone and the sucker were described. The gland was a constant feature of J. rhombifolia haustorium. A glandular activity was also observed in the clasping folds and in groups of meristematic cells disposed in the body of the haustorium. The presence of graniferous tracheary elements was confirmed under SEM. The interrupted zone was represented by few parenchyma cells as well as by large parenchyma cells. Self‐haustoria were larger than interespeciñc ones. In the former, graft‐like unions occurred at more mature stages.