Acacia mistletoe
Plicosepalus kalachariensis

Family: Loranthaceae

What it is like

A shrub that grows attached to other plants. It grows 2.5 m high. The leaves are narrowly oval but vary in shape. They are 4-6 cm long. They are blue-green. The flowers are in flat topped groups of 2-6 flowers. They are pink to red. The fruit are red berries.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in hot arid areas with a marked dry season. It grows in areas with a dry season of 6-11 months. It grows between 50-1,740 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The stems are dried, pounded, cooked and sugar and milk are added to make a drink. The nectar of the flowers is sucked.

Edible parts

Stems - drinks, flowers

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Tsi'itsi'i

Synonyms

Loranthus acaciaedetinentis Dinter; Loranthus kalachariensis Schinz; Loranthus splendens N. E. Br.; Plicosepalus acaciaedetinentis (Dinter) Danter; Plicosepalus curviflorus in sense of Balle; Loranthus dinteri Schinz;