Muellerina myrtifolia, common name myrtle-leaved mistletoe,[4] is a hemiparasitic aerial shrub in the family Loranthaceae.[5] The species is endemic to New South Wales and Queensland.[5]
M. myrtifolia is a rainforest mistletoe with small ovate, sessile leaves with a shiny upper surface and a dull lower surface, and measuring 15–20 mm long.[6] New growth is russet-coloured.[4] The inflorescence is a paired umbel which hangs from the foliage on long stalks, with each flower being a long red and yellow or red and white tube with dark, projecting stamens.[4][6] The oval shaped fruit are a dull green which ripens to a brownish-red, and have a prominent flower-scars.[4]
The main hosts on which M. myrtifolia grows are vines, in particular, Wonga vine (Pandorea pandorana), Jasminum species, and Parsonsia species.[4] An inventory of host plants for Muellerina myrtifolia is given by Downey.[7][8]
Muellerina myrtifolia is not known to host any butterflies.[4]
The species was first described by George Bentham in 1867 as Loranthus myrtifolius.[1][9] It was redescribed by B.A.Barlow in 1962 as Muellerina myrtifolia, with the current description of the species being that of Barlow in 1984.[1][10]
Muellerina myrtifolia, common name myrtle-leaved mistletoe, is a hemiparasitic aerial shrub in the family Loranthaceae. The species is endemic to New South Wales and Queensland.
