STUDIES ON THE ONTOGENY OF THE DWARF MISTLETOES, ARCEUTHOBIUM. II. HOMOLOGY OF THE ENDOPHYTIC SYSTEM

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Abstract
Cohen, L. I. (Washington State U., Pullman.) Studies on the ontogeny of the dwarf mistletoes, Arceuthobium. H. Homology of the endophytic system. Amor. Jour. Bot. 50(5): 409–417. Illus. 1963.—Development of the seedling in Arceuthobium, as well as the mode of penetration and infection, is described. The promeristem of the root apex of the seedling, as in the embryo, is composed of 4 zones: (1) a uniseriate layer of apical surface initials; (2) a subapical zone of central initials; (3) a peripheral zone; and (4) a zone of procambial initials. After germination, the seedling grows on the host surface until the root apex is confronted by a spur shoot or by a fragment of raised bark. The root apex becomes attached to the host by means of a massive holdfast. It is the procambial initials which actually invade the host tissue. After penetrating the host, the individual procambium initials proliferate in the cortex, each giving rise to a cortical strand. It was concluded that the endophytic system of Arceuthobium cannot be interpreted in terms of classical concepts of plant homology; it is, in fact, an organ sui generis.

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