Apodanthes caseariae Poit.

Achlorophyllous parasites on various species of Flacourtiaceae, the leafless plants usually numerous and arranged more or less in rows along the stem or branches of the host. Inflorescences 1-flowered with a fleshy, thickened receptacle subtended by ca. 6 imbricate bracts. Flowers 4-6 mm long, 2-3 mm wide, the calyx epigynous, of 4 petaloid, whitish, obovate segments, each narrowed to a circular base and inserted near the top of the ovary; male flowers (after Vattimo, Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. Paris 15: 226. 1956) with a short central sterile stylar column terminating in a hemispheric stigma-like cap; stamens inserted around the stylar column below the cap in 2 series of ca. 19 anthers each, subsessile; female flowers with a single pistil, the ovary hemispherical, 3 mm long, 2.5-3 mm wide, some-