Nyilla-nyilla
Lysiana casuarinae
Family: Loranthaceae
What it is like
A stem parasite. It grows attached to and feeding on a host plant. It is usually on trees less than 2 m tall. It has a weeping, drooping habit. The leaves are dull green. They are up to 9 cm long by 1.5 cm wide. They are like cylinders but slightly enlarged at the base. The flowers are like tubes and bright red. They are 5 cm long. They occur either singly or in pairs. They split open to expose the anthers and style. Each flower produces a seed covered with a sticky substance. It also has a sweet, sugary layer under the thin red or pink casing. This fruit is oval and 1 cm long.
There are 8 Lysiana species. They grow in Australia.
Where it is found
It grows on salt sheoak, Casuarina obesa in the SW region of Western Australia. It can grow on Acacia and Melaleuca.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The sweet layer around the seed is eaten raw.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Seeds often germinate on branches after passing through a mistletoe bird.