return to: checklist; keys; family Viscaceae
Parasitic
shrub attached to branchlets and main trunks of trees; young stems
green, angled; branches sympodial (cyme-like); leaves opposite,
simple, oblong-elliptic, base acute, margin entire, apex rounded,
of leathery texture; flowers small, greenish yellow, on spikes
arising from the nodes.
Additional images:
This and other mistletoes qualify as water parasites. Water and dissolved mineral nutrients are obtained from the host tree through the sucker-like attachment organ. The mistletoe is green and photosynthetic, most likely manufacturing for itself all the organic food (sugars) required for growth and development.