Plant-plant parasitism: Trends in the last 50 years and a call for papers for a special issue in Flora

The study of plant–plant parasitism has experienced remarkable growth in the scientific literature, particularly over the past two decades. Hemi- and holoparasites, in particular, have been recognized as pivotal components within plant communities, capable of upscale effects to the ecosystem. Research on plant parasites has predominantly focused on ecological and physiological aspects of parasites and hosts, with a global distribution pattern. However, some fields remain relatively unexplored, and specific regions of Asia and the Global South (with exception of Australia and Brazil) have yet to receive comprehensive attention. Here, we introduce the theme on plant hemi- and holoparasites and explore publication trends on plant–plant parasitism over the past half-century, with a particular emphasis on papers published within the last two decades. We explore our findings to extend an invitation to researchers from diverse backgrounds and disciplines to contribute their expertise to a forthcoming Virtual Special Issue of Flora – Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants on “Plant Parasitism: Ecology, Evolution and Functional Aspects”, with contributions expected from a wide range of topics related to ecology, physiology, morphology, systematics, and reproductive biology. We believe that this special issue will help in advancing our knowledge in plant-plant parasitism, fostering collaboration and facilitating the growth of this exciting area of research.