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Amyema preissii

wireleaf mistletoe

Loranthaceae

Australia (arid and semi-arid mainland)

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Amyema preissii is an evergreen aerial hemiparasite that grows attached to the branches of host trees and shrubs, forming a pendulous to rounded clump 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) across. It draws water and minerals from the host through a connection called a haustorium while making its own sugars through photosynthesis. The leaves are terete (cylindrical), wiry, and grey-green, 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long and about 0.04-0.08 inch (1-2 mm) wide. Red to orange-red tubular flowers are borne in groups of three on a short common stalk, each flower 0.8-1.2 inches (20-30 mm) long. Flowering occurs mainly in summer and autumn. The fruit is a fleshy berry about 0.3 inch (8 mm) long, eaten by mistletoebirds and other birds that disperse the sticky seeds onto host branches. Hosts are most often Acacia spp. species, though other genera are used. Heavy loads can reduce the vigour of, or kill, the host branch. The plant cannot grow apart from a living host, which limits propagation to seed lodged on a suitable host branch.

Native Range

Native to mainland Australia, occurring across the drier inland and southern regions of all mainland states. Grows wherever suitable host trees are present, particularly in acacia woodland and shrubland.

Suggested Uses

Functions as a habitat and food plant in native woodland, a source of nectar and fruit for birds and shelter for insects. Not used as a garden ornamental because it requires a living host. Sometimes retained in revegetation areas for wildlife value.

How to Identify

Recognised by its terete, wiry grey-green leaves 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long, which separate it from broad-leaved mistletoes. Red tubular flowers occur in stalked groups of three. The plant hangs in clumps from the branches of host trees rather than growing from the ground.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 3'

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks

Summer Fall

Flowers mainly in summer and autumn (December to May in the Southern Hemisphere), with some variation across its range. Individual flowers last about 2 weeks. Flowering and fruiting timing depend on the host and local rainfall.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Red to orange-red

Foliage Description

Grey-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-4 years from germination to flowering

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Amyema preissii grows only as a parasite on a living host and is not cultivated by conventional means. In its natural setting it requires a compatible host, most often an Acacia spp., with full sun to light shade at the point of attachment. Establishment depends on bird-dispersed seed lodging on a suitable branch. Water and mineral needs are met through the host connection, so the plant reflects the health of its host. Drought or loss of the host kills the mistletoe. No routine maintenance applies.

Pruning

Removal is carried out by cutting the host branch below the point of attachment, as the haustorium extends into the host wood. Cutting only the visible mistletoe leaves the embedded haustorium, which resprouts. Heavy mistletoe loads are sometimes thinned to reduce stress on the host tree.