Ecological notes and pollination biology of Castilleja coccinea.

Abstract

There are more than 3000 species of parasitic flowering plants distributed among 17 families. Many of these plants attack a wide diversity of hosts and can use multiple host species simultaneously. Plant parasites often cause dramatic reductions in host growth and reproduction and several parasitic plant species are important agricultural pests. Castilleja coccinea, commonly known as scarlet indian paint-brush, is a group of hemiparasitic root parasites, many of which are able to parasitize members of virtually every angiosperm family.