Amyema bifurcata

Family: Loranthaceae

What it is like

A mistletoe. It grows on Acacia, Angophora, Corymbia and Eucalyptus species. It hangs down and does not have runners. It can have rusty scales or hairs. The leaves are simple and 7-35 cm long by 1-2.5 cm wide. They do not have hairs. The leaf stalk is 1-4 cm long. The flowers are in a group in the axils of leaves or near the ends of branches. There are 5-6 red petals. The flowers are 2-3 mm long. The fruit is a yellow or orange berry. They are 1 cm long.

There are about 90-100 Amyema species. In Australia there are about 70 species of mistletoe in the Amyema and Mullerina genera and they all have edible fruit. The seeds should not be eaten.

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. In tropical Queensland it grows between 140-800 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit, flower nectar

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Nyilanyil

Synonyms

Amyema ferruginiflora (W. Fitzg.) Danser; Loranthus bifurcatus Benth.; Loranthus ferruginiflorus W. Fitzg.;