Viscum combreticola

Viscum combreticola, the Combretum mistletoe, is a leafless, dioecious mistletoe shrub,[2] occurring from southern to tropical Africa, in a broad zone following the Rift Valleys.[3] Though it is typically a hemiparasite of Combretum species, it may also be found on Terminalia (Combretaceae), Acacia, Croton, Diplorhynchus, Dombeya, Heteropyxis, Maytenus, Melia, Strychnos or Vangueria.[1]

Viscum combreticola
V. combreticola on a Strychnos host
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Santalales
Family: Santalaceae
Genus: Viscum
Species:
V. combreticola
Binomial name
Viscum combreticola
Synonyms
  • V. dichotomum sensu Harv.[1]
  • V. ugandense Sprague 1911[2]
  • V. hildebrandtii auct. sensu Balle

The much-branched twigs are flattened, ribbed and divided into clear segments.[4] The brittle olive to olive-green segments exude a watery sap when broken. Their sessile fruit, usually in pairs, grow from the segment joints.[4] They are ellipsoid berries of 6-7 mm in diameter, that are warty when young[1] but smooth and orange when ripe.[2]

The species is vegetatively similar to V. anceps and artificially resembles the Asian species V. dichotomum.[1] Male inflorescences and fruit are required to separate it from V. shirense and V. cylindricum.[2]

References
  1. Roux, Dr J.P. (2003). Flora of South Africa: Viscum combreticola (family VISCACEAE). South African National Biodiversity Institute, Compton Herbarium, Cape Town (SAM).
  2. "Viscum combreticola Engl". African Plant Database. Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques & South African National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  3. R.M. Polhill, D. Wiens. "Viscum combreticola Engl". FZ volume:9 part:3 (2006) Viscaceae. Kew. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  4. Trees and Shrubs of the Witwatersrand. Johannesburg: Witwatersrand University Press. 1974. pp. 294–295. ISBN 0-85494-236-X.
  • Viscum diversity in southern Africa, iziko museums

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