Hydnoraceae

Prosopanche americana

The Hydnoraceae are a family from the order of the pepper -like ( Piperales ) with eight species in two genera.

Description

All species are chlorophyll -less root parasites that live entirely underground except for flower and fruit ( isolated flower and fruit are formed even underground). The roots are thick up to 10 inches, cylindrical to flattened, solid strands, which are only weakly branched and laterally spread from the hosts. As the only angiosperms ever they are completely leafless.

The length of the inflorescence is due to the depth at which the root lies, the flower stem measures 4-9 centimeters. The measured diameter from 5 to 25 centimeters single flowers are three to fünfzählig ( Hydnora ) or six or achtzählig. The 6 to 8 inches long flower lobes are either wide open on the ground or are not bent back and open only by separation of the individual lobes from each other. In some species the lobes are found at the edge slightly thickened, whitish growths, reminiscent of maggots. The flowers give off a fetid smell.

Dissemination

The family has a very disjoint distribution area. Hydnora is native to southern Africa, including Madagascar and radiates isolated from the Arabian Peninsula (Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Oman), Prosopanche in southern South America, with individual deposits in northern Chile and Costa Rica.

The species inhabit semi-deserts and are economically dependent, Hydnora parasitize most of milkweed species ( Euphorbia ) and acacia, Prosopanche to mesquite ( Prosopis ).

System

• Hydnora Thunb., With about 5-15 species in Africa, Arabia and Madagascar
• Prosopanche de Bary, with three species in Paraguay and Argentina