Studies on the Conducting Cells in the Haustorium of Cuscuta australis R. Brown

실새삼(Cuscuta australis R. Brown) 흡기(吸器)에서의 통도세포(通導細胞)에 관한 연구

The elongated filamentous haustorial cells, hyphae, of Cuscuta australis R. Brown penetrated into the vascular tissues of the host plant Trifolium repens L. were studied by the light and electron microscopes. The hyphae reached the host xylem were invaded into the host vessels and then they grew within the host vessels. Finally these hyphae were differentiated into the water conducting elements, xylary hyphae, by thickening of the secondary walls. The hyphae reached the host phloem were branched at the apical regions. These hyphae possessed thin-layered cytoplasm involving the typical features of sieve elements such as the parallel arrays of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, plastids with the clusters of fine starch granules, and mitochondria with the dilated cristae. It was indicated that these hyphae were differentiated into the nutrients conducting elements, phloic hyphae. The structures described were compared with those of other parasitic plants and were discussed in view of the translocation of materials from host to parasite.