What is it about?
Galls are anomalies in plant development of parasitic origin that affect the cellular differentiation or growth and represent a remarkable plant–parasite interaction. Byrsonima sericea DC. (Malpighiaceae) is a super host of several different types of gall in both vegetative and reproductive organs. The affected inflorescences showed changes in architecture, with branches arising from the main axis and flower buds. The flower buds exhibited several morphological and anatomical changes.
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Why is it important?
The existence of galls in reproductive organs and their effects on the host plant are seldom described in the literature. In this paper, we present a novel study of galls in plants of the Neotropical region: the ‘witches' broom’ galls developed in floral structures of B. sericea. In this work, we discuss the several changes in development of reproductive structures caused by witches' broom galls and their effects on reproductive success of the host plants.
Perspectives
This paper represents a novel contribution of galls in reproductive organs and raises several questions regarding mechanisms of control of flower organogenesis and development. In future, we hope to contribute with further studies that help to understand the underlying mechanisms and possible economic losses due to these galls.
Dr André Luis Guimarães
Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Structure and development of ‘witches' broom’ galls in reproductive organs ofByrsonima sericea(Malpighiaceae) and their effects on host plants, Plant Biology, August 2014, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/plb.12231.
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