Vegetative anatomy of Lophophytum mirabile subsp. bolivianum (Balanophoraceae) and the effect of its parasitism in the anatomy of the roots of its host Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil

The objectives of this work were to study the structure of the vegetative body of Lophophytum mirabile subsp. bolivianum (Wedd.) B. Hansen, to analyze the change on roots of Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil (Griseb.) Altschul when they are infected by this parasitic plant, and to identify the anatomical changes produced by that parasitism. L. mirabile subsp. bolivianum plants are formed by a spheroidal-narrower underground vegetative body or tuber, that externally has a dark warty surface;epidermis, stomata or trichomes are lacking. The central matrix of tuber consists of reserving parenchyma and vascular bundles. Parasitic cells located at the level of root cambium initiate the tuber formation. On the infected root of A. colubrina var.cebil, the identity of radial and axial growth of the secondary system are lost. This leads to the formation of xylem loops that affect the xylem transport and root development, which stops length growth and develops a woody gall. Infection of L. mirabile subsp. bolivianum causes profound anatomical changes in timber developing of A. colubrina var. cebil, which favor the parasite success.