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NZ Plants

Peraxilla tetrapetala - pikirangi, red mistletoe

Mistletoe family: Loranthaceae

Peraxilla tetrapetala is a many branched shrub up to 2 m with thick leathery leaves.  A partial parasite, commonly attached on the trunk of a wide variety of hosts, but typically beech (Nothofagus) or tawheowheo (Quintinia). Found in coastal to mountain forest on the South Island, and less commonly, on the North Island.
An endemic genus with two species formerly placed in the genus Elytranthe.
 

Vegetative characteristics

Reproductive characteristics

Plant form: shrub up to 2 m

Arrangement of parts: symmetric
 

Flower size: 10-20 mm diam. X 20-40 mm long

Leaf form: ovate, oblong

Tepals (sepals indistinguishable from petals): 4, red, orange

Leaf size: to 2.5 cm

  

Leaf arrangement: opposite pairs

Sexuality: bisexual

Leaf attachment:

Stamens: 4  

Leaf margin: hairless

Ovary: below petals

Leaf surface: hairless

Fruit: fleshy


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