Some Parasitic Plants of Pakistan- Anatomical and Taxonomic Attributes

The present work was conducted to study the anatomical characteristics of five parasitic plants (Cuscuta reflexa, Korthalsella opuntia, Orobanche aegyptiaca, Viscum album and Viscum cruciatum) of Pakistan. There were two main categories i.e. holoparasites such as Cuscuta reflexa and Orobanche aegyptiaca and hemiparasites such as Korthalsella opuntia, Viscum album and Viscum cruciatum. Longitudinal and transverse sections in the form of slides were also prepared in order to examine some important taxonomic (family, habit, phyllotaxy, height) and anatomical attributes (epidermis, stomatal type, petiole, leaf and stem) of these parasitic plants.