Erianthemum dregei
(Eckl. & Zeyh.) Tiegh
Hairy mistletoe
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Summary
Source: WikipediaErianthemum dregei is a species of parasitic plant in the family Loranthaceae, and is commonly known as the hairy mistletoe or wood flower.
Description
A shrub that grows off other plants. The stems are 2 m long. It grows on a wide variety of hosts. The stems can be spreading or hanging. The small branches have white hairs. The leaves can be opposite or one after the other. They are oval. It forms flowers in the wet season. The flowers are in heads of 2-6 flowers. They are greenish-yellow. The fruit is a bright orange or red berry. They are 10-15 mm across. The seeds are red.
Edible Uses
The fruit are eaten.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows in higher rainfall woodland and forest. In Zimbabwe it grows up to 2,000 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
Notes
There are 16 Erianthemum species.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Diphakam, Kalemelera, Kalisace, Pakama
References (3)
- Fowler, D. G., 2007, Zambian Plants: Their Vernacular Names and Uses. Kew. p 44
- Long, C., 2005, Swaziland's Flora - siSwati names and Uses http://www.sntc.org.sz/flora/
- White, F., Dowsett-Lemaire, F. and Chapman, J. D., 2001, Evergreen Forest Flora of Malawi. Kew. p 350
