The embryogenic types of the families of parasitic flowering plants are used to analyze the classification of these plants. Parasitic flowering plants are located mainly in specialized groups in the upper part of the taxonomic classification. Holoparasitic plants are not numerous and belong to these most specialized groups. This paper synthesizes two protocols to provide information permitting evaluation, discussion and significant reflections concerning evolution in parasitic flowering plants. It is an earnest appeal to embryologists to integrate the evolution of parasitic flowering plants into developmental embryology, and to taxonomists to recognize that embryology is highly interdisciplinary.