Synonyms: |
Viscum capense Bory Viscum comorense Lecomte Viscum minutiflorum. Engl. & K.Krause Viscum nervosum Hochst. ex A. Rich. Viscum nervosum var. angustifolium Sprague Viscum nervosum var. nyanzense (Rendle) Sprague Viscum nyanzense Rendle Viscum rotundifolium Bory Viscum spathulatum Lecomte Viscum triflorum subsp. nervosum nervosum (Hochst. ex A.Rich.) M.G.Gilbert Viscum venosum DC. Viscum venosum var. lanceolatum DC. |
Common names: | |
Frequency: | |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Leafy, monoecious, small, yellow-green, globose clusters <0.5 m high; internodes of distal branches somewhat flattened and delicate, 6-ribbed, (10)15–20(25) × 1–1.5 mm, older branches rounded. Leaves rather variable, 18–25(30) × 8–13 mm, obovate-elliptic, rounded to obtuse apically, basally cuneate, conspicuously 3(5)-nerved from the base, relatively thin and less coriaceous than many species of the genus, margin often somewhat crisped; petiole indistinct (c. 3 mm long). Bracteal cups narrowly pedunculate, 2–3 × 0.5 mm. Dichasia with the central flower staminate and the lateral flowers pistillate, or with all the flowers of the same sex, solitary in the axils. Style present, but minute; stigma not expanded. Perianth segments (at least some) persistent in fruit; ring scar left by perianth 0.5–1 mm in diameter. Berries white, ± sessile, 4–5 mm in diameter, ellipsoid-globose, smooth. |
Type location: |
Mauritius |
Notes: | |
Derivation of specific name: | triflorum: with flowers in threes |
Habitat: | |
Altitude range: (metres) | |
Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution: | Angola, Gulf of Guinea Islands, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, South Africa, Madagascar and Indian Ocean islands. Also in Saudi Arabia. |
Botanical divisions: | |
Growth form(s): | Shrub under 2 m. |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Literature: |
Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 58. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 83. Polhill, R.M. & Wiens, D. (1998). Mistletoes of Africa Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Pages 282 - 283. (Includes a picture). Polhill, R.M. & Wiens, D. (2006). Viscaceae Flora Zambesiaca 9(3) Pages 198 - 199. (Includes a picture). Strugnell, A.M. (2006). A Checklist of the Spermatophytes of Mount Mulanje, Malawi Scripta Botanica Belgica 34 National Botanic Garden of Belgium Page 185. Timberlake, J.R., Bayliss, J., Dowsett-Lemaire, F., Congdon, C., Branch, B., Collins, S., Curran, M., Dowsett, R,J., Fishpool, L., Francisco, J., Harris, Kopp, M. & de Sousa, C. (2012). Mt Mabu, Mozambique: Biodiversity and Conservation Report produced under the Darwin Initiative Award 15/036. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London Page 76. Troupin, G. (1978). Loranthaceae Flore du Rwanda Spermatophytes Volume I Pages 182 - 186. (Includes a picture). Vollesen, K. (2013). Acanthaceae (Part 1) Flora Zambesiaca 8(5) Page 40. |