Mulga Mistletoe
Lysiana murrayi
Family: Loranthaceae
What it is like
A parasitic shrub which grows on the branches of some trees. The branches hang down and are tangled. The leaves are almost cylindrical and 6 cm long. They are slightly pointed at the tip. The flowers are pink to red. They are greenish white towards the base. The flower stalks are 2 cm long. They occur either singly or in pairs. They fruit are round and green at first then ripen to yellow and then red.
There are 8 Lysiana species. They grow in Australia.
Where it is found
It grows in arid and semi-arid regions. It grows on Acacia aneura, Mulga. It also grows on Cassia desolata, Eremophila mitchellii and Muehlenbeckia species.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten raw. They are sweet and fleshy. The sticky seed is thrown away.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Parka parka