Das Phloem der Haustorien vonCuscuta

Ultrastructural features of seed and seedling of Cuscuta pedicellata

“…The cells in question may be companion cells due to the size of the nuclei. Large companion cells have been observed in the haustorial bridge in C. odorata (ISRAEL et al 1980). Plasmodesmata are rarely seen, but occur in groups or pairs and may be branched.…”

Phylogenetic inference in Rafflesiales: the influence of rate heterogeneity and horizontal gene transfer

“…These authors conflict, however, as to whether there exists symplastic continuity between host and parasite via plasmodesmata; the former indicated that such connections are the major path of nutrient uptake by the parasite whereas the latter rejected this idea. Despite this controversy, heteroplastic plasmodesmatal connections have been documented in another parasitic plant, Cuscuta [50] and indeed such connections can even form in heterografts between distantly related plant taxa [51]. Given this, we assume that host-parasite plasmodesmatal connections exist in the endophytes of Rafflesiales.…”

The plant vampire diaries: a historic perspective on Cuscuta research

“…She contributed numerous detailed drawings of the haustorial cells, especially the haustorial vascular tissue. Thoday’s and Peirce’s work was challenged by Thomson (1925) who disagreed with the presence of phloem in Cuscuta haustoria, and it was not until Dörr, Kollmann, and co-workers published their series of excellent electron microscopy studies ( Dörr, 1968 , 1969 , 1972 , 1990 ; Israel et al , 1980 ) that this question was settled and Thomson was proved wrong. The notion that cells with sieve tube characteristics are formed in the Cuscuta haustoria after successful infection on a susceptible host is no longer disputed.…”