"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. Key words: Caucasus, western Asia, parasitic plants, taxonomy, typification, new synonyms, new records, conservation assessment."--Page 3.

"Abstract: This study represents the first comprehensive monograph of the tribe Orobancheae (Orobanchaceae) in the four holoparasitic genera, Cistanche, Phelypaea, Phelipanche, and Orobanche, in Georgia. This country, as a part of the Caucasus, is one of the most important biodiversity centres in the world and includes poorly understood holoparasitic plants. Species delimitations are re-evaluated on the basis of critical observations on seven years of field work and examination of ca. 1000 herbarium sheets from 50 herbaria. Our work has resulted in the recognition of 33 species, among which 13 are endemic to the Caucasus. We present information on their distribution, localities, habitat, phenology, host range, images from the field, nomenclatural acts (taxonomic clarifications, proposals for new synonymisations, new combinations, lectotypifications), as well as a key for identification and preliminary geospatial conservation assessments for all species based on IUCN criteria. Lectotypes are designated for Cistanche fissa, C. sintenisii, Orobanche salsa var. ambigua f. fissa, O. salsa var. ambigua f. longiloba, O. coelestis f. confinis, O. ramosa var. penicillata, O. coerulescens, O. buhsei, O. glabrata, O. minor, O. libanotidis, O. flava; neotype for O. owerinii; nomenclatural novelties, new combinations and/or a name at new rank: O. doriae, Orobanche subg. Gamosepalae, Orobanche sect. Arcuatae. Key words: Parasitic plants, taxonomy, typification, new synonyms, new records, Cistanche, Phelypaea, Phelipanche, Orobanche"--Page 3.

The book describes richness and diversity of Georgia’s vegetation. Contrasting ecosystems coexist on the relatively small territory of the country and include semi-deserts in East Georgia, Colchic forests with almost sub-tropical climate in West Georgia and subnival plant communities in high mountains. West Georgia lacks xerophilous vegetation zone and mesophilous forest vegetation spreads from the sea level to subalpine zone. The Colchic refugium (West Georgia) ensured survival of the Tertiary’s mesophilous forest flora. Vertical profile of the vegetation is more complex in East Georgia with semi-desert, steppe and arid open forest zone. In South Georgia the montane zone represented by montane steppe is devoid of forests

The Caucasus is a mountain region located at the edge of Europe and Asia, between the Black and Caspian seas. In spite of limited geography and mostly temperate climate, diversity of natural landscapes, plant and animal species, and cultivated plants is unusually high. For these reasons, the Caucasus has been included in the list of global biodiversity hotspots. Proportion of endemic species of higher plants and terrestrial vertebrates varies between 15-30% for individual groups according to different authors, with a vast majority of some taxonomic groups such as terrestrial snails exceeding 80%. There is a number of relict plants and animals, whose relatives are not found in the neighbouring parts of Eurasia, but in the distant regions throughout the northern Hemisphere. Simultaneously, the Caucasus is known as an area of early settlements of hominids and the area of ancient agriculture. High proportion of endemic and relict species is unusual for a continental, non-tropical region. The author describes the biodiversity of the Caucasus region, starting from the Mesozoic time and ending with the current situation, and tries to analyse the evolutionary factors that shaped this diversity.

Parasitic flowering plants are strikingly impressive and beautiful and hold many surprises of both general and scientific interest. Parasites also have great influence on the quality of human life when attacking crop plants. Some parasites have since early times appealed to our imagination and have been part of religious or folkloristic events and used as gifts to royalties. This beautifully illustrated book covers all parasitic families and most of the genera. It also discusses the establishment of the parasite, the structure and function of the nutrient absorption organ (haustorium), and how the parasites are pollinated and dispersed as well as their ecology, hosts, and evolution. The book is written in a mostly non-technical language and is provided with a glossary and explanatory boxes. For additional information about this book, including some sample photographs, as well as a list of corrections that have been incorporated in the 2011 reprint, please visit the author's web site. Parasitic Flowering Plants was nominated by The Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries for the 2010 Annual Award for a Significant Work in Botanical or Horticular Literature, in the category ‘Technical Interest’. More information.

This book was written in response to significant recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of parasitism in the Orobanchaceae, and breakthroughs in the control of the parasitic weeds Striga and Orobanche. It consists of 26 contributions by internationally recognized leading scientists. The main book chapters are grouped into two parts: · Part I – The Orobanchaceae and Their Parasitic Mechanisms · Part II – The Weedy Orobanchaceae and Their Control The first part provides cutting-edge information on all key aspects of plant parasitism, such as the structure, development and function of the haustorium; nutrient transfer and the physiology of the parasite-host association; host reaction to parasitic plants; seed production and germination; the strigolactones and host-parasite signaling mechanisms; the parasite genome, phylogenetics, evolution and epigenetics; and ecology. Topics of the second part include: the problem posed by the weedy parasites; population diversity and dynamics; molecular diagnosis of seed banks; and detailed discussion of the various management strategies, including agronomic, chemical and biotechnological approaches, as well as host breeding for resistance, allelopathy and biological control. This book is intended for plant scientists, university lecturers and students, agronomists and weed specialists, breeders and farmers, extension personnel and experts in tropical and subtropical agriculture.

This second of two volumes on Plant Genome Diversity provides, in 20 chapters, insights into the structural evolution of plant genomes with all its variations. Starting with an outline of plant phylogeny and its reconstruction, the second part of the volume describes the architecture and dynamics of the plant cell nucleus, the third examines the evolution and diversity of the karyotype in various lineages, including angiosperms, gymnosperms and monilophytes. The fourth part presents the mechanisms of polyploidization and its biological consequences and significance for land plant evolution. The fifth part deals with genome size evolution and its biological significance. Together with Volume I, this comprehensive book on the plant genome is intended for students and professionals in all fields of plant science, offering as it does a convenient entry into a burgeoning literature in a fast-moving field.