New records of parasitized plants by Escobedia grandiflora (Orobanchaceae) in natural habitats

Abstract Hemiparasitic plant roots adhere to neighboring plants in order to meet part or all of their nutritional requirements. Escobedia grandiflora (L. f.) Kuntze is a hemiparasitic plant found throughout the America. Its orange colored roots are used as a natural colorant in food and medicines, but there is little information about plant requirements. The aim of this study was to identify host plants of E. grandiflora in five natural habitats within the department of Antioquia (Colombia). There, E. grandiflora plants were selected and an area of 50 × 50 cm around them was demarcated, in order to identify the vegetation in the quadrant with adhering haustoria. The Amount of haustoria of E. grandiflora on these plants was established. Twenty-two species belonging to seven botanical families were recorded as being parasitized by E. grandiflora, the most predominant family being Poaceae, with twelve species. Greater compatibility or preference was suggested for 18.2% of the identified plant species. It was concluded that E. grandiflora has a wide host range, especially within the Poaceae family. This record contributes to an increased knowledge of this species, and constitutes basic information for future studies.