Myrtle-leaf Mistletoe - profile

Scientific name: Muellerina myrtifolia 
Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Description

Myrtle-leaf Mistletoe is a parasitic mistletoe, attached to the branches of other plants by runners that can be seen on the outside of the host-stem. The paired, stalkless leaves are smooth, oval and up to 2.5 cm in length, with distinct midribs and side veins. The spring–summer flowers are paired on long slender stalks at the ends of the branchlets. They are narrow, greenish-red tubes with five petals. The fruit is succulent and dark red with a single sticky seed.

Location and habitat

Distribution
This mistletoe is rare in south-east Queensland, and in NSW is known only from Wilson Peak Flora Reserve on the NSW–Queensland border north-west of Woodenbong.
 

• Dry rainforest on fertile soils, sometimes at high altitude, where it grows on species of rainforest shrubs and vines.

Regional information
This species is found in the following catchment management authority regions. Click on a region name to see more details about the distribution, vegetation types and habitat preference of the species in that region.

• Northern Rivers

Threats

• Clearing of habitat for agriculture.
• Fire.
• Risk of local extinction because populations are small.

What needs to be done to recover this species?

• Protect areas of dry rainforest from fire.
• Protect all areas of dry rainforest from clearing.
• Expand and connect remaining remnants of dry rainforest.
• Inform the DEC of any new locations of Myrtle-leaf Mistletoe.

References

• NSW NPWS (2002). Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Flora. NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour, NSW.