Mitrastema

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Mitrastema
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Ericales
Family: Mitrastemonaceae
Makino
Genus: Mitrastema
Makino
Species

M. matudae
M. yamamotoi

Mitrastema is a genus of two widely disjunct species of parasitic plants. It is the only genus within the family Mitrastemonaceae. Mitrastema are root endoparasites, which grow on Fagaceae.

[edit] Taxonomy

The taxonomic placement of the Mitrastema was unsure for a long time. Originally it was placed within the order Rafflesiales, together with other parasitic plants, however it was long suspected that this order was actually polyphyletic. In 2004 the genus was found the be related with Ericales by comparing the mitochondrial DNA[1].

[edit] Species

Two species are known. M. matudae is found in Central America, while M. yamamotoi is found in Southeast Asia and Japan.

[edit] Sources

  1. ^ Nickrent et al. 2004
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