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Botanical features and general habit of the holoparasitic plant Cistanche armena including the parasitic association with leguminous plant Caspian manna (Alhagi maurorum).
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Alhagi maurorum Medik. (syn. A. pseudalhagi (M. Bieb.) Fisch.) (Fabaceae), a thorny shrub commonly called camelthorns or Caspian or Persian Manna, is a species native mainly to temperate and tropical Eurasia and the Middle East. It is an important herb, with diverse uses as Arabian folk medicine, and as a food, mainly a source of sweet Manna, or fo...
Citations
... Politically, it is located in the territories of Georgia, the Russian Federation, Armenia, Azerbaijan, with small parts within Turkey and Iran (Holubec & Křivka 2006). Recent taxonomic and field studies in the Caucasus have helped clarify the nomenclature, taxonomy, distribution, phylogeny of holoparasitic Orobanchaceae, as well as revealed many endemic and host-specific species, including some new to science (e.g., Rätzel & Uhlich 2004, Piwowarczyk 2015, 2018, 2017a, b, c, d, 2018a, b, c, d, 2019, 2022, 2023, Fateryga & Popovich 2017, Fateryga et al. 2021. However, our knowledge of the diversity and distribution of holoparasitic Orobanchaceae in the Caucasus (as well as adjacent areas of Asia) remains insufficient. ...
A new, probably endemic species, Orobanche dagestanica is described from Dagestan in Russia (the Greater Caucasus). The species grows in alpine shale scree slopes, and is a parasite of the roots of species from the genus Lophiolepis (Asteraceae). Based on morphological and phylogenetic data, the newly-described species belongs to Orobanche subsect. Curvatae, and specifically to O. ser. Krylowianae, however it is distinct from all other taxa in this group. A detailed description, diagnosis, illustrations, a comparison with related species, as well as phylogenetic analysis are provided.
... The recently rediscovered endemic species from Armenia (Western Asia), Cistanche armena (K. Koch) M.V. Agab., is an obligate root parasite of a camelthorn (Alhagi maurorum Medik., Fabaceae) and saltwort (Salsola dendroides Pall., Chenopodiaceae), flowering from May to early June and fruiting from June to July (Piwowarczyk et al., 2017(Piwowarczyk et al., , 2019. It is known only from the Ararat and Armavir provinces in Central Armenia, in the Arax River valley and foot of Mount Ararat, on the border between Armenia, Turkey and Nakhchivan (Piwowarczyk et al., 2019;Fig. ...
... The species is currently confirmed only at two locations in one of the hottest and extremely arid regions of Armenia (Piwowarczyk et al., 2019). Both the habitat and the range of C. armena have a total area of less than 10 km 2 , with only several hundreds of individuals remaining because of the habitat degradation, intense amelioration works and arable land expansion (Piwowarczyk et al., 2017(Piwowarczyk et al., , 2019. Besides the abiotic stresses, C. armena suffers from extreme parasitization by the hoverfly larvae (Eumerus mucidus Bezzi, Syrphidae), while its key host, A. maurorum, is highly infested with the stem-parasitic Eastern dodder (Cuscuta monogyna Vahl., Convolvulaceae) Piwowarczyk and Mielczarek, 2018). ...
The obligate root parasite Cistanche armena is a recently rediscovered, extremely rare endangered species endemic to Armenia, specifically parasitizing camelthorn (Alhagi maurorum, Fabaceae) and saltwort (Salsola dendroides, Chenopodiaceae). Its populations are reputedly declining due to habitat destruction and biotic impacts. Since the only known means of its reproduction is via the seeds, understanding the mechanisms of breaking C. armena seed dormancy and germination along with the related aspects of the species' biology is highly important both from fundamental (functional ecology and evolution) and applied (conservation and management) perspectives. Here, we present the first in vitro seed germination protocol for C. armena involving fluridone, a systemic herbicide targeting the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway. In addition, the seed micromorphology of C. armena is described using both light microscopy and lignin autofluorescence visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The actin cytoskeleton in radicle cells of germinated C. armena seedlings is described for the first time, being the proof of seed viability. Further elaboration and application of the proposed germination protocol with the cultivation of C. armena on susceptible hosts are altogether seen as a valuable tool for the conservation of this species.
... Additionally, Orobanche crenata Forssk. is used to prepare several traditional dishes in southern Italy and has potential as a novel functional food (Renna et al., 2018). However, no report has been published on (Piwowarczyk et al., 2017. The host species are also often used in traditional medicine and contain many biologically active compounds. ...
... maurorum is used as a medicinal and forage plant (Piwowarczyk et al., 2017). In our study, A. According to Wong et al. (2006), the total polyphenols in C. deserticola was 1 300 mg GA/100 g, which was 1.6 times lower compared with that in the stem and tuber of C. armena ...
The holoparasitic genus Cistanche (Orobanchaceae) has been the most widely used and well known genus in traditional
Chinese medicine for centuries. This is the first study that reports the phytochemical profile of Cistanche
armena – an endemic species from Armenia and evaluates the composition and biological activity in relation
to specific organs of the parasite (flowers vs stem with tuber) and its interaction with two host species: Alhagi
maurorum (Fabaceae) and Salsola dendroides (Chenopodiaceae). We identified polyphenolic compounds using the
UPLC-PDA-MS/MS method and quantified the antioxidative effects; inhibitory activities; polyphenol, nitrate III
and nitrate V contents; ABTS +, DPPH, and FRAP activities; and colour parameters. A total of 28 polyphenolic
compounds were tentatively identified. In C. armena, 9 compounds belonged to the phenylethanoid glycosides,
mainly acteoside, B-hydroxyverbascoside and echinacoside, and in its hosts, 19 compounds belonged mainly to
hydroxycinnamic acid and the flavanols. The profile of polyphenols in the host species was qualitatively and
quantitatively different than the profile of the compounds in the parasite; this indicates the existence of a unique
pathway of compound biosynthesis in the parasite. The colour and the amount and bioactivity of the polyphenolic
compounds found in Cistanche were very diverse and depended on both the host plant and their location
(organs) in the parasite. The stem and tuber of Cistanche hosted by Salsola had the highest polyphenol content,
which was approximately 4 times higher than that in the stem and flowers of Cistanche individuals that parasitized
A. maurorum. In addition, the stem and tuber of Cistanche that parasitized S. dendroides was characterized
by the highest antioxidant activity (ABTS +, DPPH and FRAP) and high inhibitory activities. Conversely, the
amount of polyphenols in the host Alhagi was 12 times higher than that in S. dendroides. These results highlight
the importance of C. armena as a promising source of functional and bioactive ingredients (harvested from potential
cultivation, not from natural endangered localities) and also draws the attention of future researchers to
an important aspect regarding the parasite organ and the host's influence on the harvested material of various
parasitic herbs.
... The holoparasitic Orobanchaceae in Armenia are represented by one species of Cistanche, two Diphelypaea, 15 Phelipanche and 18 Orobanche (Piwowarczyk et al. 2019). Several species have been also included in regional contributions (Aghababyan 2013;Nobis et al. 2016Nobis et al. , 2018Piwowarczyk et al. 2017a) and new species have been described as well (Piwowarczyk, Sánchez Pedraja, and Moreno Moral 2017b;Piwowarczyk et al. 2017cPiwowarczyk et al. , 2018aPiwowarczyk et al. , 2018bPiwowarczyk et al. , 2018c. ...
The paper presents new records of 24 vascular plant species from 11 Eurasian countries. One taxon (Orobanche laxissima) is reported from Armenia; one (Epipactis condensata) from Azerbaijan; two (Phragmites americanus, Polygala multicaulis) from Belarus; one (Stipa cauca-sica) from Egypt; one (Puccinellia hauptiana) from Kyrgyzstan; three (Aquilegia xinjiangensis, Geranium saxatile, Ranunculus songaricus) from Mongolia; one (Stipa roborowskyi) from Pakistan; three (Echinochloa muricata, Erigeron acris subsp. podolicus, Hypericum majus) from Poland; six from Russia, whereof one (Zanthoxylum armatum) from the European part of Russia and five (Chaerophyllum aureum, Elsholtzia densa, Poa compressa, Ranunculus subrigi-dus, Viola sororia) from the Asian part of Russia; two (Ludwigia repens, Sagittaria latifolia) from Slovakia; and three (Rubus ambrosius, Rubus camptostachys, Rubus perrobustus) from Ukraine. For each species, synonyms, general distribution, habitat preferences, taxonomy with remarks on recognition and differentiation of the species from the most similar taxa occurring in a given country, as well as a list of recorded localities (often far from the previously known areas), are presented. ARTICLE HISTORY
... The host plants of C. tubulosa include Zygophyllum, Haloxylon, Calliganum, Prosopis, Tamarix, and Seidlitzia (Saeidi & Shahi, 2008). Alhaji is reported as a host of C. tubulosa in Jordan and Near East as well as C. armena in Armenia (Piwowarczyk et al., 2017). In Yazd, Alhaji has been observed as a host plant of C. tubulosa (Figure 4). ...
Cistanche spp., as a haloparisite and perennial herb, is distributed in
different soil types of tropical and subtropical areas of Iran in central up to
south parts of the country. In arid and semi-arid areas of Iran, seven
Cistanche species have been identified as C. ambigue, C. fissa, C. flava, C.
laxiflora, C. ridgewayana, C. salsa, and C. tubulosa. Among these species,
the C. tublosa is very important and is widely distributed as haloparasite
on different species of genera including Zygophyllum, Haloxylon,
Calligonum, Prosopis, Pteropyrum, Tamarix, Seidlitzia, and Alhaji. In
Iran, there is no report for using Cistanche as a medicinal crop, but in the
northwest China and Mongolia, they grow Cistanche for commercial use
where the rainfall is lower than 250 mm. Among the tonic, Chinese
medicine, Cistanche is widely accepted as superior and has been given the
name of Gineseng of the desert. The most popular Cistanche species are C.
tubulosa, C. salsa and C. deserticola. Cistanche is rich in minerals,
echinacoside, acteoside, and phenylethanoid glycoside. This haloparasite
is an anti-aging medicinal crop, improves the immune system, kidney and
skeletal function, and has positive impacts on male hormone and improves
the reproductive function in women. Furthermore, Citanche improves brain
functioning and increases fat metabolism. Cistanche species have been
reported as endangered species because of decreasing host plant. In
southern parts of Iran for combating dust storm, people have started
growing halophyte plants and trees such as Tamarix with drainage water.
C. tubulosa which is collected from the central plateau of Iran has shown
a high amount of K, Mg, S, Ca and P and antioxidant capacity as well as
six important phenylethanoid glycoside substrates. Cistanche could be
recommended to improve the economy of the area and employment, which
can also encourage the local people to plant more trees and protect them.
... So far, 45 species of holoparasitic Orobanchaceae have been noted, belonging to Orobanche, Phelipanche, Cistanche Hoffmannsegg & Link (1809: 318), and Diphelypaea Nicolson (1975: 654) (Novopokrovskij & Tzvelev 1958, Tsaturyan & Grigoryan 1987. Since that time, selected species have been included in regional contributions (Domina et al. 2010, Aghababyan 2013, Piwowarczyk in Nobis et al. 2016, 2018a, b, Piwowarczyk & Denysenko in Nobis 2016, Piwowarczyk et al. 2017a, and new species from Armenia and the remaining part of the Caucasus have been described (Piwowarczyk 2015a, Piwowarczyk et al. 2017b, 2017c, 2017d, 2018a, 2018b. However, data concerning the existence and comprehensive distribution of Geomorphology Since early geological history, the land surface of Armenia and the surrounding Armenian plateau has been mountainous, with further mountain building occurring during the Cenozoic era (particularly after the Miocene). ...
PHYTOTAXA MONOGRAPH. The species of holoparasitic genera from the family Orobanchaceae have a specific lifestyle associated with the host, greatly
reduced vegetative organs, very variable features and quickly lose their color, resulting in difficulties and mistakes in identification.
This study represents the first comprehensive monograph of 36 species from the four holoparasitic genera, Cistanche,
Diphelypaea, Phelipanche and Orobanche (Orobanchaceae), in Armenia. This country, as a part of the Caucasus,
is one of the most important biodiversity centers in the world, a diversity which includes rich and insufficiently understood
holoparasitic plants. Our investigations were based on five years of field work in the Caucasus, and complemented by examination
of ca. 1200 herbarium sheets with ca. 3000 specimens from 37 herbaria. We present information on distribution, list of
localities, habitat, phenology, host range, taxonomic clarification, illustrations and descriptions for problematic ones, images
from the field, proposals for new synonymisations, new combination Phelipanche cernua subsp. sinaica (Beck) Piwow.,
Ó. Sánchez & Moreno Mor., 20 lectotypes, two epitypes, one neotype are designated here, as well as a key and geospatial
conservation assessments for all species based on IUCN criteria.
... with the larvae of Eumerus mucidus in 1 locality in Ararat province, near Khor Virap (39.8833°N, 44.5666°E, 818 masl). Cistanche armena is known as a very rare species, occurring only in the Ararat province in Armenia at the foot of Mount Ararat, parasitizing shrubs from the genera Salsola L. (Chenopodiaceae) and Alhagi Gagnebin (Fabaceae) (Piwowarczyk et al. 2017). The 3 ha of semi-desert is dominated by halophytic vegetation and cultivated areas with irrigation ditches. ...
Larvae of Eumerus mucidus (Diptera: Syrphidae) are reported for the first time as boring channels in the fresh tubers and shoots of the holoparasitic plant Cistanche armena (K. Koch) M.V. Agab. (Orobanchaceae), causing damage and breakage. Field surveys conducted in southern Armenia in May 2016 and Jun 2017 revealed infestations of C. armena with the larvae of E. mucidus in 1 locality in Ararat province, near Khor Virap, in semi-desert habitats. A single Cistanche plant was parasitized by several Eumerus larvae, and 20 to 30% of the total population was infested. This is the first record of E. mucidus outside Egypt and Israel.
... In this article, we continue to provide results from our intensive and systematic field investigations initiated in 2014 and related to holoparasitic Orobanchaceae, in the Caucasus, one of the most important biodiversity centers in the world (Mittermeier et al. 2005). As it could be supposed, in an area so rich and insufficiently known, the discovery of species of Orobanchaceae not yet described has occurred in recent years, after intense and systematic field studies (Piwowarczyk 2015, Piwowarczyk et al. 2017a, 2017b, 2017c, 2017d, 2018a, 2018b. In this case, during field investigations in Armenia in 2017, a new population of Orobanche was discovered and identified as belonging to a new species. ...
Orobanche arpica (Orobanchaceae) is described as a new, probably Caucasian endemic, species from the Lesser Caucasus in Armenia. It grows on a subalpine meadow, where it parasitises Psephellus pulcherrimus (Asteraceae). The newly-described species morphologically and phylogenetically belongs to species from the Orobanche subsect. Curvatae, apparently to species of the O. ser. Krylowianae, however it is clearly distinct. A detailed description, illustrations, a comparison with the similar species with identification key, and phylogenetic analysis are provided. We also present additional phylogenetic (O. inulae) and phytogeographic (O. mlokosiewiczii) contributions to the series Krylowianae.
... The flora of this region includes over 40 species of holoparasitic Orobanchaceae, belonging to Orobanche, Phelipanche Pomel (1874: 102), Cistanche Hoffmannsegg & Link (1809: 319), and Diphelypaea Nicolson (1975: 654) (Novopokrovskij & Tzvelev 1958, Takhtajan 1987, Tsaturyan & Gevorgyan 2009, Domina et al. 2010, Aghababyan 2013. Many of them are endemic, parasitising endemic hosts, or have their distributional center there, and through detailed research in recent years, several have been described or reported (Piwowarczyk in Nobis 2016, 2018Piwowarczyk et al. 2017bPiwowarczyk et al. , 2017cPiwowarczyk et al. , 2017dPiwowarczyk et al. , 2018b. ...
Orobanche javakhetica (Orobanchaceae) is described as a new, probably endemic, species from the Lesser Caucasus in
Armenia. It grows on a subalpine meadow, where it parasitises Lomelosia caucasica (Dipsacaceae). The newly-described
species is very characteristic and different from other known Orobanche, however some morphological similarity may exist
with species from the Orobanche subsect. Curvatae, particularly with species of the Orobanche series Krylowianae. A detailed
description, illustrations, a comparison with the most similar species with identification key, and phylogenetic analysis
are provided.
... (Takhtajan 1987). However, distributions of this genus and their hosts in Armenia are not sufficiently known, as evidenced by new discoveries (e.g., Piwowarczyk, Sánchez Pedraja, and Moreno Moral 2017;Piwowarczyk et al. 2017aPiwowarczyk et al. , 2017b. ...
The paper presents new records for 29 vascular plant species from 12 Eurasian countries. Seven taxa (Agave sisalana, Austrocylindropuntia subulata, Lagurus ovatus subsp. nanus, Opuntia stricta, Orobanche serbica, Oxalis articulata, Vitis × instabilis) are reported from Albania, one (Allium carinatum) from the Europaean part of Russia, six (Dipsacus fullonum, Gagea shmakoviana, Mentha × dalmatica, Thymus indigirkensis, Thymus sergievskajae, Viola × sukaczewii) from the Asian part of Russia, two (Agrostis sozanensis, Poa mustangensis) from China, two (Carex muskingumensis, Sedum rubens) from Poland, two (Crataegus macrocarpa, Dactylorhiza lapponica) from Romania, two (Oxygraphis delavayi, Ranunculus eryuanensis) from Nepal, two (Erigeron bonariensis, Ophioglossum vulgatum) from Tajikistan, one (Ranunculus olgae) from Kazakhstan, one (Najas guadelupensis) from Hungary, one (Orobanche bartlingii) from Armenia, one (Crataegus petrodavisii) from Azerbaijan and one (Amaranthus powellii) from Georgia. For each species, synonyms, general distribution, habitat preferences, taxonomy with remarks on recognition, and differentiation the species from the most similar taxa occurring in a given country, as well as a list of recorded localities (often far from the previously known areas) are presented.
