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Geographical distribution and aspects of the ecology of the hemiparasitic angiosperm Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntze: a herbarium study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Valerie Cochrane
Affiliation:
Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
Malcolm C. Press
Affiliation:
Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK

Abstract

Striga asiatica (Scrophulariaceae) is an obligate root hemiparasite of mainly C4 grasses (including cereals). It is the most widespread of the 42 Striga species occurring in many semi-tropical, semi-arid regions of mainly the Old World. Examination of herbaria specimens revealed that S. asiatica has a wider geographical distribution, is present at higher altitudes and occurs in a more diverse range of habitats than previously reported. The host range is also larger than previously reported and is likely to include a large number of C3 plants. Morphology of examined specimens revealed variation in size and corolla colour suggesting the existence of ecotypes. Climate may exert a significant influence on the distribution of S. asiatica given the diversity of potential host plants and their distribution beyond the current recorded range of S. asiatica.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1997

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