Erianthemum dregei
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Hairy mistletoe | |
|---|---|
 | |
| E. dregei on a Croton sylvaticus host at Amanzimtoti, South Africa | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Santalales |
| Family: | Loranthaceae |
| Genus: | Erianthemum |
| Species: | E. dregei |
| Binomial name | |
| Erianthemum dregei | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Erianthemum dregei is a species of parasitic plant in the family Loranthaceae, and is commonly known as the hairy mistletoe or wood flower.[1]
These plants are native to Africa and are parasitic on a large number of tree species in higher rainfall areas[2] from the Eastern Cape of South Africa, through KwaZulu-Natal, Eswatini and Mpumalanga,[1] to East Africa, as far as northern Ethiopia.[3] They are also found in southern Angola.[3]
Description
A branched parasitic shrub with spreading or pendent stems,[2][3] forming clumps of up to 2m x 1.5m.[1] The leaves are leathery and hairless, usually alternate (sometimes opposite[2]), with conspicuous side veins.[1] The growing points are velvety brown.[1] The flowers are massed in small clusters and are densely hairy,[1] pale yellowish-green and sometimes flushed orange to pink.[2] The fruit is an orange to bright red berry, 10–15 mm in size.[3] Erianthemum dregei shows great variation across its range.[3]
Human uses
Erianthemum dregei is used in African traditional medicine to treat stomach complaints in children and cattle.[1]