The developmental anatomy of Conopholis americana (Orobancaceae) seedlings and tubercles

Abstract

Germinated and attached seedlings of the phanerogamic parasite Conopholis americana (L.) Wallroth are described for the first time. The morphogenetic changes which characterize the transition from seedling to preflowering tubercle, as well as the anatomy of the mature tubercle, including endogenous floral buds, are also described. Conopholis seedlings were found attached only to mycorrhizal oak roots. The primary haustorium attached to and penetrated the fungal sheath, pushing aside epidermal and cortical cells of the host as it grew toward the host stele. Cells of the endophyte contacted host xylem and differentiated directly into reticulately thickened tracheary elements. Concomitantly a cambial are of parasite origin was established within the young tubercle, aligned with the vascular cambium of the host root. The cambium of the tubercle gave rise to xylem centripetally, which differentiated into tracheary elements juxtaposed to host secondary vessels, and cortical parenchyma centrifugally. Sieve elements could not be unequivocally demonstrated in seedlings or tubercles. Tissues and cell types of the parasite could be distinguished from those of the host by both morphological and histochemical criteria. The parasite to host transition zone was characterized by direct tracheary element connections and delimited by densely cytoplasmic parasite parenchyma cells that had greatly enlarged centrally located nuclei.