Erianthemum dregei
| Hairy mistletoe | |
|---|---|
| |
| E. dregei on a Croton sylvaticus host at Amanzimtoti, South Africa | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Santalales |
| Family: | Loranthaceae |
| Genus: | Erianthemum |
| Species: | E. dregei
|
| Binomial name | |
| Erianthemum dregei | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Erianthemum dregei is a species of parasitic plant in the family Loranthaceae, and is commonly known as the hairy mistletoe or wood flower.[1]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]These plants are native to Africa and are parasitic on a large number of tree species in higher rainfall areas[2] from the Eastern Cape of South Africa, through KwaZulu-Natal, Eswatini and Mpumalanga,[1] to East Africa, as far as northern Ethiopia.[3] They are also found in southern Angola.[3]
Description
[edit]
A branched parasitic shrub with spreading or pendent stems,[2][3] forming clumps of up to 2m x 1.5m.[1] The leaves are leathery and hairless, usually alternate (sometimes opposite[2]), with conspicuous side veins.[1] The growing points are velvety brown.[1] The flowers are massed in small clusters and are densely hairy,[1] pale yellowish-green and sometimes flushed orange to pink.[2] The fruit is an orange to bright red berry, 10–15 mm in size.[3] Erianthemum dregei shows great variation across its range.[3]
Human uses
[edit]Erianthemum dregei is used in African traditional medicine to treat stomach complaints in children and cattle.[1]
Ecological significance
[edit]The flowers and fruit attract birds.[1] The leaves are eaten by the larvae of Mylothris agathina.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h E. Pooley (1998). A Field Guide to Wild Flowers of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Region. Natal Flora Publications Trust. ISBN 978-0-620-21500-8.
- ^ a b c d Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T. & Ballings, P. (2011). Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information: Erianthemum dregei. http://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=120950, retrieved 28 November 2011.
- ^ a b c d e JSTOR PLANT SCIENCE: Entry for ERIANTHEMUM dregei (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Tiegh.:http://plants.jstor.org/flora/ftea004152, retrieved 28 November 2011.
- ^ Woodhall, Steve (2005). Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik. ISBN 978-1-86872-724-7.
External links
[edit]- Dressler, S.; Schmidt, M. & Zizka, G. (2014). "Erianthemum dregei". African plants – a Photo Guide. Frankfurt/Main: Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg.