Red-berried mistletoe, Round-leaved mistletoe
Viscum rotundifolium

Family: Santalaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub that grows attached to other plants. It grows 50 cm high. It is a leafy plant often forming small round clusters. The leaves vary in shape from almost round to narrowly oval. They are 8-12 mm long by 4-8 mm wide. The fruit are bright red berries with a sticky pulp. They are 4-5 mm long.

It has also been put in the family Viscaceae.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in hot arid places with a marked dry season. It grows between 10-1,950 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. The stems are used for tea.

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, stems - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Haires, Maias, Martak, Oviraura, Veolent

Synonyms

Viscum bosciae-foetidae Dinter; Viscum glaucum Eckl. & Zeyh.; Viscum macowanii Engl.; Viscum thymifolium C. Presl.; Viscum trichostatum E. Mey. ex Harv.; Viscum ziziphi-mucronati Dinter;