Alectra chitrakutensis (Orobanchaceae) in Bundi District, Rajasthan, India

While surveying floral diversity of Bundi district in southeastern Rajasthan, we noticed, on 6 March 2008, a parasite on the roots of Vitex negundo L.. The parasitic plant was seen at Rain village (25º3823.10N, 75º4034.09E; 286 m a.s.l.) in Hindoli tehsil of Bundi District, 22 km north from Bundi, on a field bund. Terrain of the field was quite flattish having a small rainy seasonal nallah on its eastern edge that is close to a government primary school building. Vitex negundo L., Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz and Mimosa himalayana Gamble were commonly growing along the banks of the nallah and on bunds of the field. The site was continuously checked during winter, summer and rainy seasons to observe the species’s growth pattern until 2011. The parasitic plant starts appearing in the root zone of V. negundo at the end of the rainy season, and fruits at the beginning of the summer season. Winter is the best time to see this plant when it flowers massively. This plant is an erect herb, with purple scale-like leaves and yellow, sessile flowers in a terminal raceme. The three purple streaks on each petal are diagnostic. Aerial parts of young plants initially appear greenish-white, but soon turn purple. The stems are rhizomatous with numerous axillary buds. On digging, fresh rhizomes are orange-yellow in colour. After drying, they become black. The species was identified as Alectra chitrakutensis (Rau) R. Prasad & R.D. Dixit, 1993. Locally it is known as negad ki bunti.