Peraxilla tetrapetala
| Peraxilla tetrapetala | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Core eudicots |
| Order: | Santalales |
| Family: | Loranthaceae |
| Genus: | Peraxilla |
| Species: | P. tetrapetala |
| Binomial name | |
| Peraxilla tetrapetala Tiegh. | |
Peraxilla tetrapetala, or red mistletoe, is an endemic parasitic plant in New Zealand. The Maori names for the plant are pikirangi, pirirangi and roeroe.
It is a shrub up to one metre tall with glabrous leaves. The flowers are 4-5 mm long, bright red to orange in colour which split open to the base. Red mistletoe is found as a parasitic plant on Quintinia and Nothofagus species.[1]
Conservation
The plant is highly palatable to the introduced Common Brushtail Possum resulting in a threat to the plant population.
Red mistletoe is listed as in "Gradual Decline" in the New Zealand Threat Classification System and relies on conservation measures to halt the decline.[2]
References
- ↑ Allan, H. H. (1982). Flora of New Zealand. I. Botany Division, Department of Scientific and Industrial Resear. Retrieved 2009-04-17.
- ↑ Rod Hitchmough, Leigh Bull and Pam Cromarty (compilers). New Zealand Threat Classification System lists - 2005. Wellington: Department of Conservation. ISBN 0-478-14128-9. Retrieved 2009-04-17.
External links
- Department of Conservation - mistletoe page
- University of Canterbury - mistletoe photographs
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