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NZ Plants

Korthalsella salicornioides - dwarf mistletoe

Family: Viscaceae

Korthalsella salicornioides is a dwarf leafless green mistletoe that is a partial parasite (hemiparasite). It is a small plant with many-branched, cylindrical and succulent stems. Korthalsella contains about 25 species found in Asia, Africa, Australia, Polynesia and with three species in New Zealand. Named after the Dutch botanist, Pieter Willem Korthals (1807-1892).

An endemic found throughout New Zealand that grows on Leptospermum scoparium, Kunzea  ericoides , Melicope simplex, Myrsine australis and species of Dracophyllum and Gaultheria.

 

Vegetative characteristics

Reproductive characteristics

Plant form: leafless perennial shrub up 10 cm, hemiparasite

Flower symmetry: symmetric

Leaf form: leaves not present

Flower size: 2-3 mm

Leaf size:

Tepals (sepals indistinguishable from petals): 3

Leaf arrangement:

Sexuality: unisexual on same plant

Leaf attachment:

Stamens: 3

Leaf margin:  

Ovary: below tepals

Leaf surface:  

Fruit: fleshy


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