Korthalsella salicornioides
| Korthalsella salicornioides | |
|---|---|
| Korthalsella salicornioides on mānuka | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Santalales |
| Family: | Santalaceae |
| Genus: | Korthalsella |
| Species: | K. salicornioides
|
| Binomial name | |
| Korthalsella salicornioides | |
Korthalsella salicornioides or dwarf mistletoe is an endemic parasitic plant in New Zealand.[2]
Description
Korthalsella salicornicoides is named after the succulent coastal plant Salicornia, because it has succulent stems. These appear as a dense mass of small fleshy leafless twigs, up to 10 centimetres (3.9 inches) long, usually growing on the host plants mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium) and kānuka (Kunzea ericoides). It is reddish-yellow to green with tiny flowers and small yellow fruits from October to May.[3] It is similar to the other two species of New Zealand leafless mistletoe in the genus Korthalsella, but has denser stems arising at a narrower angle.
Conservation
This species is scattered across forests and scrublands in New Zealand, only abundant in small local patches.[4] In some areas it is threatened by felling of Leptospermum and Kunzea for firewood, farming, or exotic forestry.[3] As at 2023, this species is classed as At Risk - Declining by the Department of Conservation.[1] This species is also regarded as "declining" in the Wellington Region as at December 2025.[5]
References
- ^ a b Peter J. de Lange; Jane Gosden; Shannel P. Courtney; et al. (October 2024). "Conservation status of vascular plants in Aotearoa New Zealand, 2023" (PDF). New Zealand Threat Classification Series. 43: 1–105. ISSN 2324-1713. Wikidata Q130392985.
- ^ Sultan, Amir; Tate, Jennifer A.; de Lange, Peter J.; Glenny, David; Ladley, Jenny J.; Heenan, Peter; Robertson, Alastair W. (2018-04-03). "Host range, host specificity, regional host preferences and genetic variability of Korthalsella Tiegh. (Viscaceae) mistletoes in New Zealand". New Zealand Journal of Botany. 56 (2): 127–162. doi:10.1080/0028825X.2018.1464476. ISSN 0028-825X. S2CID 89798933.
- ^ a b "Korthalsella salicornioides | New Zealand Plant Conservation Network". www.nzpcn.org.nz. Retrieved 2016-05-31.
- ^ Barkla, John (August 2020). "New exotic host for the dwarf mistletoe Korthalsella salicornioides" (PDF). Trilepidea. 201: 1.
- ^ Pat Enright; Anita Benbrook; Philippa Crisp; et al. (December 2025), Conservation status of indigenous vascular plants in the Wellington region, Greater Wellington Regional Council, pp. 1–91, Wikidata Q137506391