Viscum rotundifolium

Viscum rotundifolium, the red-berry mistletoe, is a variable, wide-ranging and monoecious mistletoe of southern Africa.[1] It is a hardy, evergreen hemiparasite with a catholic variety of host plants,[2] including other mistletoes.[3] It may be found from near sea level to 1,950 m.[1] Its fleshy, leathery leaves are dark[2] or pale green and variable in shape, though usually broadly ovate to elliptic.[4] While its creamy-green flowers are small and inconspicuous, the fruit are a brilliant, shiny orange-red colour when ripe.[2] It is similar to V. schaeferi Engl. & K.Krause and V. pauciflorum L.f. with which it may be confused.[1]

Viscum rotundifolium
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Santalales
Family: Santalaceae
Genus: Viscum
Species:
V. rotundifolium
Binomial name
Viscum rotundifolium
Synonyms
  • Viscum bosciae-foetidae Dinter
  • Viscum glaucum Eckl. & Zeyh.
  • Viscum macowanii Engl.
  • Viscum thymifolium C.Presl
  • Viscum tricostatum E.Mey.
  • Viscum ziziphi-mucronati Dinter

References
  1. "Viscum rotundifolium L.f." African Plant Database. Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques & South African National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  2. Trees and Shrubs of the Witwatersrand. Johannesburg: Witwatersrand University Press. 1974. pp. 294–295. ISBN 0-85494-236-X.
  3. R.M. Polhill, D. Wiens. "Viscum rotundifolium L.f." Flora Zambesiaca: volume:9 part:3 (2006) Viscaceae. Kew. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  4. "Viscum rotundifolium L.f." Namibian Plants. kyffhauser.co.za. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  • Viscum diversity in southern Africa, iziko museums

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