Cassytha filiformis in forests of Jhargram district of West Bengal

Abstract

This communication broadcasts 30 host species of Cassytha filiformis in the forests and jungle of Jhargram district, West Bengal, India. The species parasitizing on some hosts as twiner that perfectly get flowers and fruits during late monsoon and in winter in Junglemahal area of southwest Bengal. Leafless green to crimson yellow plant grows luxuriantly and spreads over small herbs to shrubs even on naturally grown Acacia species in the forest. In social forestry area cashew trees get infected by the twiner in a great extent. Seeds of the plants are green berry like. Pulpy juice of ripe fruits attract birds during late winter so woodland birds migrate into the forest and get feeding advantage as they are frugivorous. The spread of the species is not rapid but the extent of the species is determined by the forest fire. In this article infection% of the Cassytha filiformis on hosts was studied which ranged between 30-98%. The fruits are used by frugivorous birds of the forest though it is medicinal plant. The plant is associated with various purposes in ecosystem development so it needs special attention to save the plant to save the biodiversity of the forest.