Psittacanthus schiedeanus (Schltdl. & Cham.) G.Don is a species of Neotropical mistletoe in the family Loranthaceae, which is native to Panamá, Costa Rica, Honduras and Mexico.[1][2]
Psittacanthus schiedeanus is a hemiparasite growing to 1–2 metres (3–7 ft)[3] with quadrangular stems which are flattened at the nodes. The haustorium is large. The bluish-green leaves are asymmetric and about 20 centimetres (8 in) long and 8 centimetres (3 in) wide, with stout petioles and pinnate venation. The inflorescence is terminal. The fruit is a berry.[4]
The most common hosts are oaks(Quercus species) and other hardwoods.[4] Other hosts are the conifers: Pinus leiophylla, P. montezumae, P. teocote and P. oocarpa.[4] This species causes significant damage to pine forests used for harvesting wood.[4] However, despite being a damaging parasite of conifers, it is important for medicine and wildlife.[4]
Birds are important in the plant's life-cycle. They pollinate it while feeding on the nectar, and when they feed on the fruit they disperse the seeds.[4]
Psittacanthus schiedeanus was first described by Adelbert von Chamisso and Diederich Franz Leonhard von Schlechtendal 1830 as Loranthus schiedeanus,[5][6] and in 1834, George Don assigned it to the genus Psittacanthus.[7][8]
Psittacanthos comes from the Greek psittakos (parrot), and the Greek anthos (flower), possibly chosen, according to Don,[9] because of the bright colours. The epithet, schiedeanus, honours the collector, Christian Julius Wilhelm Schiede, botanist and plant collector in Mexico.[10]
Psittacanthus schiedeanus (Schltdl. & Cham.) G.Don is a species of Neotropical mistletoe in the family Loranthaceae, which is native to Panamá, Costa Rica, Honduras and Mexico.
