AN INVESTIGATION INTO A FAST SPREADING PARASITIC PLANT (MISTLETOE:TAPINANTHUS GLOBIFERUS.) ON AN ECONOMIC TREE, LOCUST BEANS TREE: PARKIA BIGLOBOSA) IN BAUCHI STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, FARM LANDS, YELWA, BAUCHI STATE

Dr.(Mrs.) Nanyi J.I. Dutse

ABSTRACT Mistletoe scientifically referred to as Tapinanthus globiferus. Is a specie of hemi=parasitic plant in the family Loranthacea It may contain up to 40 species with 30 being accepted. Mistletoe as parasitic plants are found in a wide range of forests ecosystems, where they obtain their nutrition from their host. They are parasitic yet slow growing an persistent. Mistletoe as parasitic plants are found in a wide range of forests ecosystems, where they obtain their nutrition from their host. They are parasitic yet slow growing an persistent. Parasitic plants anchor themselves to their host’s plant using a specialized structure known as “haustoria”, with this structure it anchors itself to the host roots or stem, depending on the parasitic plant species. The species Tapinanthus globiferus  in Ghana the leaves are used to treat guinea worm infection, while in Nigeria the leaves are used  to treat various disorders including cancer and liver ailments, in Senegal the leaves are used for the treatment of leprosy. (Wikipedia, 2023) This is the species affecting most Angiosperms in Nigeria. The species Tapinanthus globiferus  in Ghana the leaves are used to treat guinea worm infection, while in Nigeria the leaves are used  to treat various disorders including cancer and liver ailments, in Senegal the leaves are used for the treatment of leprosy. (Wikipedia, 2023) This is the species affecting most Angiosperms in Nigeria. The experimental site is farm lands within Bauchi State College of Agriculture, located in Yelwa- Bauchi, in Bauchi  local government area  of Bauchi State, Nigeria. Within the School farm lands have distinct foot parts that demarcate one piece of farm land from the other.