News from the Department of Botany and Molecular Evolutionary Research 2025
Searching for parasites
The team, surrounded by numerous specimens of the characteristic species of the Sonoran Desert, saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea) and ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens)
Vegetation at approx. 2000 m above sea level. Centre and edge of image: faded specimens of the genus Dasylirion (Asparagaceae)
Pholisma sonorae, a holoparasite (source: Jim A. Bartel, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pholisma_sonorae#/media/File:Pholisma_sonorae.jpg). Unfortunately, the travellers’ own photos only show plants that have already bloomed.
Insight into the fauna:
Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), also known as the prairie owl or cave owl
Krameria erecta, a hemiparasite (plant capable of photosynthesis) (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krameria_erecta#/media/File:Krameria_erecta_3.jpg)
A young bobcat (Lynx rufus) returning from an early morning hunt with its mother and sibling.
Insight into the fauna:
Western screech-owl (Megascops kennicottii)
