Amyema

Genus of mistletoes From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Amyema is a genus of semi-parasitic shrubs (mistletoes) which occur in Malesia and Australia.

Quick facts Scientific classification, Species ...
Amyema
A. pendula, habit; ↓A. gibberula, flowers
Amyema gibberula var. gibberula
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Santalales
Family: Loranthaceae
Genus: Amyema
Tiegh.
Species

See text

Synonyms
  • Loranthus sect. Amyema Endl.
  • Loranthus sect. Pilostigma Engl.
  • Pilostigma Tiegh.[1][2]
  • Xylochlamys Domin
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Etymology

Amyema derives from the Greek: a (negative), and myeo (I initiate), referring to the genus being previously unrecognised.[3]

Description

Hamilton & Barlow describe the haustorial structures of most Australian Amyemas as being ball-like, with some exceptions.[4]

Species

There are approximately 90 species including the following:

Faunal associations

The mistletoebird is known to consume the fruit of Amyema quandang[5] as well as other mistletoe species from which its name is derived.

Larvae of the butterfly genus Delias often use various Amyema species as larval food plants. In doing so, the adults acquire a taste that is unpalatable to predators.[6]

Uses

The fruit of Amyema species is high in protein, lipids, and carbohydrates, and was eaten by the Ngunnawal people.[7]

References

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