Red mistletoe
Dendrophthoe falcata

Family: Loranthaceae

What it is like

A shrub which grows attached to other plants. The leaves have stalks. The leaves are nearly opposite. They are 3-19 cm long by 1.2-10 cm wide. They vary in shape and size. They are oval, smooth and leathery. Flowers are stalked and red. The fruit is a berry.

There are about 30 Dendrophthoe species. They are in the tropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Nepal plants grow between 600-1800 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, East Africa, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Myanmar, Nepal, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Zambia

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten fresh. The flower juice is also eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, flower sap

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Ainjeru, Ajeru, Amut, Badanika, Badanike, Banda, Bandgul, Bandhulu, Baramanda, Bridhongo, Chipur, Ithil, Jiddu, Kyibaung, Liso, Mandargon banda, Nihi, Plavithil, Pulluri, Rhiniya, Vanda, Vando, Vrikshabhaksha, Vriksharuha

Synonyms

Loranthus falcatus L.f.; Loranthus bicolor Roxb.; Loranthus longiflorus Desr.;