| Etymology | Genus | Large tubes; probably referring to its tubular flowers |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Rounded and notched tip (the leaves) | |
| Family | Loranthaceae | |
| Synonyms | Adenanthera gersenii Scheff., Corallaria parvifolia Rumph. | |
| Common Names | Pink-flowered Mistletoe | |
| Status | Native: Common | |
| Form | Hemi-parasitic epiphyte | |
| Native Distribution | Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and Borneo | |
Diagnostics:
Macrosolen retusus is a mistletoe easily distinctive by its leaves and pink flowers. The leaves are normally obovate (sometimes elliptic/oval; doesn't matter since none of the local mistletoe species look similar) and ending with a notched tip (but not always).
Interesting Facts:
While the Pink-flowered Mistletoe's national status is common, it is nowhere as widespread and abundant as other common mistletoes, like Dendrophthope pentandra and Macrosolen cochinchinensis. They appear to be host-specific, and Barlow (1997) recorded host trees of Calophyllum, Syzygium, and Podocarpus species. This concur with observations in Singapore by Yeo (2012), with recorded hosts of Calophyllum inophyllum, Syzygium polyanthum, and Podocarpus species.
Note the difference in foliage, with the Pink-Flower Mistletoe at the centre, parasitising on its host, Syzygium polyanthum.
Leaves generally have a notched tip.
The pretty light pink inflorescence.
Fruits ripen to black.
The stem trails along its host's branches and plants its suction-like haustoria.
References
Barlow BA. (1997) Loranthaceae. Flora Malesia, 13: 403-442.Yeo R. (2012) Mistletoes of Singapore. http://tidechaser.blogspot.sg. Accessed on 27-Nov-2013.
Author: Siyang
Posted: 2012-11-28 / Modified: 2019-08-27