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VOL. 11, ISSUE 4 (2026)
Taxonomic diversity, distribution and host associations of parasitic plants in Yavatmal District (M.S.) India
Authors
Kakpure M R
Abstract
Parasitic flowering plants constitute a
specialized ecological group whose survival depends, to varying degrees, on
vascular connections established with host plants through haustoria. These
plants occur in both natural vegetation and cultivated systems, where they may
influence host performance, plant-community relationships and agricultural
productivity. Information on their district level diversity in central India is
still fragmentary. Yavatmal District, situated in the Vidarbha region of
Maharashtra, contains dry deciduous forests, agricultural fields, scrub
vegetation, grasslands and disturbed habitats that can support several
parasitic taxa. The present work consolidates published floristic information
on parasitic angiosperms reported from Yavatmal and examines their taxonomic
composition, local distribution, host associations, habitats and phenology.
Five taxa were identified from the available literature: Cuscuta reflexa
Roxb., Dendrophthoe falcata (L.f.) Ettingsh., Striga gesnerioides
(Willd.) Vatke, Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntze and Orobanche cernua
Loefl. These represent stem and root parasitism and include both hemiparasitic
and holoparasitic strategies. D. falcata has been recorded on Diospyros
melanoxylon and Madhuca longifolia, whereas S. asiatica has
been associated with Sorghum spp. and O. cernua with Solanum
melongena. The records demonstrate that parasitic plants occur across
forest and agricultural environments in the district. The compiled baseline
also indicates important gaps in contemporary information, particularly
regarding population density, host range, seasonal occurrence and spatial
distribution. Systematic field surveys supported by voucher specimens and
GPS/GIS documentation are therefore recommended.
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Pages:35-41
How to cite this article:
Kakpure M R "Taxonomic diversity, distribution and host associations of parasitic plants in Yavatmal District (M.S.) India". International Journal of Botany Studies, Vol 11, Issue 4, 2026, Pages 35-41
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