Arceuthobium

Arceuthobium oxycedri, on Juniperus oxycedrus

The dwarf mistletoes ( Arceuthobium ) is a plant genus of the family of Sandelholzgewächse ( Santalaceae ). There are parasitic plants on pine family ( Pinaceae ) and cypress family ( Cupressaceae ) grow.

Dissemination

The representatives of the genus are widespread in North and Central America, Africa and Asia. Most species are native to North America.

Description

The species of this genus have very reduced shoots and leaves. Most of the plant lives hidden under the bark of the host plant. The leaves are usually reduced to scales. The visible plant shoots are great depending on the type 1 cm to 90 cm. The smallest type Arceuthobium minutissimum they are only 1 cm in size; these native species lives in Asia on the tears Pine ( Pinus wallichiana ). In the largest representative of the genus Arceuthobium globosum subsp. grandicaule, they are 90 cm tall.

The plants are dioecious ( dioecious ), so there are male and female plants specimens. The ripe fruits build inside a hydrostatic pressure. If this pressure is discharged, the seeds are thrown at a high speed of the plant.

System

In the genus 42 species can be distinguished. The greatest diversity of species shows the genus in America; 34 species are native to North America. In Europe, only two species occur: Arceuthobium Arceuthobium azoricum and oxycedri. Here is a selection types:

  • Arceuthobium abietinum Engelm. ex Munz
  • Arceuthobium americanum Nutt. ex Engelm.
  • Arceuthobium apachecum Hawksworth & Wiens
  • Arceuthobium azoricum Vienna & Hawksw.
  • Arceuthobium blumeri A. Nels.
  • Arceuthobium californicum Hawksworth & Wiens
  • Arceuthobium campylopodum Engelm.
  • Arceuthobium cyanocarpum (A. Nels. Rydb ex. ) A. Nels.
  • Arceuthobium divaricatum Engelm.
  • Arceuthobium douglasii Engelm.
  • Arceuthobium gillii Hawksworth & Wiens
  • Arceuthobium globosum Hawksw. & Wiens
  • Arceuthobium laricis ( Piper ) St. John
  • Arceuthobium littorum Hawksworth, Wiens & Nick Rent
  • Arceuthobium microcarpum ( Engelm. ) Hawksworth & Wiens
  • Arceuthobium minutissimum Hook.f.
  • Arceuthobium monticola Hawksworth, Wiens & Nick Rent
  • Arceuthobium occidentale Engelm.
  • Arceuthobium oxycedri ( DC.) M.Bieb.
  • Arceuthobium pusillum Peck
  • Arceuthobium siskiyouense Hawksworth, Wiens & Nick Rent
  • Arceuthobium tsugense ( Rosendahl ) G.N. Jones
  • Arceuthobium vaginatum ( Humb. & Bonpl. Ex Willd. ) J.Presl (syn. Viscum vaginatum Humb. & Bonpl. Ex Willd. )

Forestry significance

Members of this genus are the forest pests that cause the most damage to economically important forestry conifer species in North and Central America. Infested conifers, especially spruce, pine and fir, show stunted growth, they also are often additionally affected by other tree diseases.

Santalales Middle America (region) Digital Object Identifier Agricultural Research Service Integrated Taxonomic Information System
74959
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