Parasitic plant, from inside out: endophytic development in Lathrophytum peckoltii (Balanophoraceae) in host liana roots from tribe Paullinae (Sapindaceae).

The parasite reproduces by endophytic development, in a manner similar to that observed for endoparasites. The strategy of late cell differentiation could aid the parasite in avoiding early detection and triggering of defense responses by the host. This development causes changes to the host root cambial activity, leading to the establishment of direct, vessel-to-vessel connection between host and parasite. We associate these changes to the cambium modularity and an influx of parasite-derived hormones into the host cambium.