XVI International Botanical Congess

Hachettea is a monotypic, endemic genus growing on tree roots such as Metrosideros (Myrtaceae). The body of the plant is only constitued of a dark tuber on which emerge orange to yellow, club-shaped inflorescences. Preliminary studies of the interface between Hachettea and host show a *wood rose + type (i. e. wood disk) , as Dactylanthus taylori Hook. f., endemic Balanophoraceae from New-Zealand. Organization of tuber follows the same scheme in both case. Xylem of parasite and host are directly joined, but there is no interpenetration of tissues. Anatomy of flowering shoot is of the classical type in Dicotyledons although floral features are much reduced. Despite of minor characters (e. g. no vegetative reproduction in H. austrocaledonica) the anatomical evidences strongly support a close relationship of Hachettea and Dactylanthus and thus its inclusions in the subfamily Dactylanthoidae sensu Engler.