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Lysiana spp.
mistletoe
Overview
Lysiana is a genus of about eight species of aerial mistletoes in the family Loranthaceae, native to Australia. They are hemiparasitic shrubs that grow attached to the branches of host trees and shrubs, drawing water and minerals through a specialized union called a haustorium while carrying out their own photosynthesis. The pendulous to spreading stems bear paired, leathery, often grey-green leaves and reach 12 to 40 inches (30 to 100 cm) across the host canopy. Tubular flowers, 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) long and red, orange, green, or yellow-tipped, are produced through much of the year and are pollinated by honeyeaters and other birds. L. exocarpi parasitizes a wide range of hosts across arid and temperate Australia, while L. subfalcata occurs in the tropical north. Fleshy berries follow and are spread by the mistletoebird, which wipes the sticky seeds onto branches where they germinate. The genus is dispersed entirely through bird activity and cannot grow rooted in soil.
Native Range
Native to Australia, where species occur across arid, semi-arid, and temperate regions as well as the tropical north, parasitizing eucalypts, acacias, casuarinas, and many other woody hosts.Suggested Uses
Not cultivated in gardens; the genus is significant ecologically as a nectar and fruit source for honeyeaters, the mistletoebird, and butterflies whose larvae feed on the foliage. It is studied in the ecology of parasitic plants and host interactions. In the landscape it forms a natural part of woodland and arid-zone tree canopies.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'6"
Width/Spread1' - 3'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs over an extended period, often spanning spring through autumn and varying with region and rainfall. The tubular bird-pollinated flowers can appear nearly year-round in warm areas. Berries ripen a few months after flowering and are present alongside later blooms.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
red, orange, green, or yellow-tippedFoliage Description
grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 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