Observations of the hemiparasites Comandra umbellata and Geocaulon lividum.

Abstract

In this paper I describe two species that are members of the Santalaceae family, Comandra umbellata and Geocaulon lividum, both of which are hemiparasitic and saprophytic. I observed these species from June 22 until August 8 during the summer of 1992 while attending the UMBS. I observed that Comandra umbellata was more abundant in Michigan, while Geocaulon lividum was more abundant farther north in Canada. The two species appear very similar, making it difficult to distinguish between them.