FIRST REPORT ON Cassytha filiformis L. (LAURACEAE), A PARASITIC WEED FROM LAHORE, PAKISTAN

The Cassytha filiformis L. Woevine is an angiospermic leafless parasitic weed belonging to the family Lauraceae was found colonizing certain plant species in the premises of Lahore,Pakistan. This parasitic weed was found abundantly on five angiospermic host plants belonging to seven genera of 6 families.Plants including trees and shrubs were heavily infested by C.filiformis in Lahore. The attack was severe and pulling down thebranches of the host wrapped with haustorial sinkers. Based onthe survey, most of the weed affected patches were recorded inBougainvillea spectabilis followed by Nerium oleander and Ziziphus mauritiana.