| Etymology | Genus | Little-dice; probably referring to the fruits |
|---|---|---|
| Species | China, probably first described from there | |
| Family | Loranthaceae | |
| Synonyms | Taxillus estipitatus (Stapf) Danser, Loranthus chinensis DC., Scurrula chinensis (DC.) G. Don | |
| Common Names | Chinese Mistletoe | |
| Status | Native: Critically Endangered | |
| Form | Epiphyte | |
| Native Distribution | China to Myanmar and Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo, and northern Philippines | |
Diagnostics:
Taxillus chinensis is a very recognisable mistletoe (though uncommon), especially from its prominent wavy leaves. They are also oppositely arranged, oval or elliptic-shaped, and with blunt tips. The flowers are long, tubular and curved.
Interesting Facts:
The Chinese Mistletoe is abundant in East Coast Park and also its vincity, and observed to be parasitising on Lagerstroemia species, Casuarina equisetifolia, Cratoxylum formosum, and Callistemon viminalis. This is the only species of Taxillus found in Malesia (Barlow, 1997).
The Chinese Mistletoe growing on a Casuarina equisetifolia tree in East Coast Park.
The leaves are prominently wavy.
Tubular flower (bottom right).
Fruits are small and have warty surfaces.
Stem of the mistletoe hugging its host.
References
Barlow BA. (1997) Loranthaceae. Flora Malesia, 13: 403-442.Author: Siyang
Posted: 2013-11-10 / Modified: 2019-08-27