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Studies On The Anatomy Of The Parasitic Gymnosperm Parasitaxus Ustus (Podocarpaceaea), Evelyn Wilkinson

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

An anatomical study of the parasitic gymnosperm Parasitaxus ustus was conducted. Material was collected in New Caledonia, embedded in paraffin or celloidin, sectioned and stained. The apical meristem consists of apical initial cells, central mother cells, the peripheral zone, and rib meristem. Leaves are scale-like, triangular and broadly decurrent at their bases. Resin ducts and prominent sclereids are present in leaves and the cortex of the stem. The parasite-host connection is in the form of a xylem to xylem connection in which the tracheids are connected by bordered pits.