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Project Noah Nature School
Amyema quandang var. quandang
With medium-sized paired soft grey elliptical leaves this mistletoe had upright flower clusters. Flowers are said to be dark red but these appeared deep dusky pink. Pic 2 shows upright buds.
Spotted growing on Acacia in a national park.
Berries are part of the diet of indigenous people. The flowers and fruits are bird attracting and the caterpillars of butterflies feed on the leaves.
Family: Lorantaceae
Spotted on Oct 11, 2014
Submitted on Oct 11, 2014
3 Comments
I agree Vinny. I love the contrasting colours and the erect flowers and buds. Martin pointed this one out to me as being a favourite with butterflies.
Martin, I would love to visit this again to look out for eggs with your help. I did not know that we had such a variety of mistletoe - might start focusing on these. But as you said, they are probably usually high up on the trees !
We should check these again for eggs of Delias aganippe.
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/902...
The adult butterfly with its red spots actually mimics this flower.
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/849...
Awesome plant, love the contrast between the grey leaves and the red flowers.