VISCACEAE
NB Viscaceae are in APG IV now included in Santalaceae; this is under debate.
Morphological description
Parasitic hemiparasites, attached to the host with a single haustorium.
Leaves
Leaves simple, opposite. Leaves often reduced. Sometimes young parts covered by yellow stellate hairs (Notothixos), stems with internodes flattened in one plane (Korthalsella).
Inflorescence
Inflorescence.
Flowers
Flowers unisexual, tepals 2-4, valvate, ovary inferior.
Fruit
Fruit a berry.
Seed
Seed the single seed covered by sticky layer.
Different from: Loranthaceae: usually attached to the host with several haustoria; leaves and corolla well developed; flowers usually bisexual.
Distribution: The family worldwide, but mostly in the tropics. In Malesia 4 genera,
including : - Ginalloa (Sri Lanka to Solomons), mostly in lowland forest; - Viscum (widespread in Old World), lowland and montane disturbed and primary forest.
Notes: The family used to be included in Loranthaceae. Some species of Viscum are hyperparasites. A number of species are used medicinally.
Literature: B.A. Barlow, Fl. Males. I, 13 (1997) 403- 442.
Spot characters (Van Balgooy): Viscaceae 16, 83, 92 - Ginalloa 12, 64 - Korthalsella 12 - Notothixos 12, 25, 64 - Viscum 12, 54, 64; V. ovalifolium 95.
Illustrations: Fig. 180. Ginalloa flagellaris Barlow (Viscaceae). Reproduced from Blumea 41 and Flora Malesiana I, 13 (1997) 416, fig. 2a. Fig. 181. Korthalsella papuana Danser (Viscaceae). Reproduced from Flora Malesiana I, 13 (1997) 422, fig. 3c.
Image in PhytoImages for Viscaceae