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  4. Ileostylus micranthus

Ileostylus micranthus

Ileostylus micranthus, plant.<br>Photographer: Nicholas J. D. Singers, Licence: All rights reserved.
Ileostylus micranthus, plant, November, Taiharuru, Kennedy Bay.<br>Photographer: John Smith-Dodsworth, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>.
Female flowers, Taiharuru, Kennedy Bay (November).<br>Photographer: John Smith-Dodsworth, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>.
Fruits, Kaiaua-Miranda Road (May).<br>Photographer: John Smith-Dodsworth, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>.
Ileostylus micranthus, male flowers, October 2005, Bartons Bush, Trentham.<br>Photographer: Jeremy R. Rolfe, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0'>CC BY</a>.
Ileostylus micranthus, male flowers, October 2005, Bartons Bush, Trentham.<br>Photographer: Jeremy R. Rolfe, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0'>CC BY</a>.
Ileostylus micranthus male flowers, Bartons Bush, Trentham.<br>Photographer: Jeremy R. Rolfe, Date taken: 01/10/2005, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0'>CC BY</a>.
Ileostylus micranthus on Coprosma propinqua, Three Mile lagoon, Okarito, June 1998.<br>Photographer: Peter J. de Lange, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>.
Rorangi, growing on Kunzea aff. ericoides (b).<br>Photographer: Peter J. de Lange, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>
On Coprosma propinqua, Three Mile Lagoon, Okarito. June 1998.<br>Photographer: Peter J. de Lange, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>
Ileostylus micranthus.<br>Photographer: Bec Stanley, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0'>CC BY-SA</a>.
Juvenile growing on Coprosma intertexta.<br>Photographer: John Barkla, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0'>CC BY</a>.
Ileostylus micranthus.<br>Photographer: Alastair Robertson, Licence: All rights reserved.
Planted on Matiu/Somes Island.<br>Photographer: John Sawyer, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>
Leith, Dunedin.<br>Photographer: John Barkla, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0'>CC BY</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>
Banks Peninsula.<br>Photographer: Melissa Hutchison, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>
Banks Peninsula.<br>Photographer: Melissa Hutchison, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>
Totaranui.<br>Photographer: Simon Walls, Date taken: 01/05/2006, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>
Dunedin Botanic Garden.<br>Photographer: John Barkla, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0'>CC BY</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>
Progress Valley, Catlins (haustorium detail).<br>Photographer: Jesse Bythell, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>
Progress Valley, Catlins (haustorium detail).<br>Photographer: Jesse Bythell, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>
Progress Valley, Catlins (on Coprosma propinqua).<br>Photographer: Jesse Bythell, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>
Progress Valley, Catlins.<br>Photographer: Jesse Bythell, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>
Progress Valley, Catlins (juvenile on Coprosma propinqua).<br>Photographer: Jesse Bythell, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>
Ileostylus micranthus.<br>Photographer: Mike Thorsen, Licence: All rights reserved. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>
Ileostylus micranthus.<br>Photographer: Mike Thorsen, Licence: All rights reserved. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>
Hapuku Estuary.<br>Photographer: Mike Thorsen, Date taken: 09/08/2013, Licence: All rights reserved. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>
Epicortical roots, in cultivation.<br>Photographer: Bill Clarkson, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>
Epicortical roots, in cultivation.<br>Photographer: Bill Clarkson, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>
Flowers.<br>Photographer: Bill Clarkson, Date taken: 29/01/2013, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>
Germinating plant.<br>Photographer: Bill Clarkson, Date taken: 17/08/2009, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>
Germinating plant.<br>Photographer: Bill Clarkson, Date taken: 17/08/2009, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>
Flower buds, in cultivation.<br>Photographer: Bill Clarkson, Licence: <a target='_blank' href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0'>CC BY-NC</a>. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>
Fruit, Nugget Point, Catlins, Otago.<br>Photographer: Mike Thorsen, Date taken: 02/06/2014, Licence: All rights reserved. <a class='member-message' href='/nzpcn/why-join-nzpcn/' target='_blank'>Members can view a larger version of this image.</a>
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Common name

Green mistletoe, pirita

Synonyms

Loranthus micranthus Hook.f.

Family

Loranthaceae

Authority

Ileostylus micranthus (Hook.f.) Tiegh.

Flora category

Vascular – Native

Endemic taxon

Yes

Endemic genus

Yes

Endemic family

No

Structural class

Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons

NVS code

The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.

ILEMIC

Chromosome number

2n = 22

Current conservation status

  • Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017

The threat classification status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2017 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS) – more information about this can be found on the NZTCS website This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2012 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Authors: By Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, John W. Barkla, Shannel P. Courtney, Paul D. Champion, Leon R. Perrie, Sarah M. Beadel, Kerry A. Ford, Ilse Breitwieser, Ines Schönberger, Rowan Hindmarsh-Walls, Peter B. Heenan and Kate Ladley. Please note, threat classifications are often suggested by authors when publications fall between NZTCS assessment periods – a suggested threat classification status has not been assessed by the NZTCS panel.

Source: NZTCS and licensed by DOC for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.

2017 | Not Threatened | Qualifiers: TO

Previous conservation statuses

2012 | Not Threatened

2009 | Not Threatened

2004 | Not Threatened

Brief description

Bushy yellowish-green shrub growing on other trees with clusters of tiny green flowers and orange fruit. Leaves fleshy, variable in shape, 30-80mm long, in pairs on stalks that arise from a flattened section of the squareish stem. Roots creeping along host plant’s stem.

Distribution

Indigenous. North, South and Stewart Islands, also on Norfolk Island.

Habitat

Mainly a coastal and lowland species which rarely extends into upper montane forest. Prefers shrubland and secondary regrowth. This species shows some regional host specificity but nevertheless has been recorded from a wide range (nearly 300) of indigenous and exotic hosts. One of the few indigenous mistletoe’s to regularly grow in urban situations.

Wetland plant indicator status rating

Information derived from the revised national wetland plant list prepared to assist councils in delineating and monitoring wetlands (Clarkson et al., 2021 Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Contract Report LC3975 for Hawke’s Bay Regional Council). The national plant list categorises plants by the extent to which they are found in wetlands and not ‘drylands’. The indicator status ratings are OBL (obligate wetland), FACW (facultative wetland), FAC (facultative), FACU (facultative upland), and UPL (obligate upland).

UPL: Obligate Upland

Rarely is a hydrophyte, almost always in uplands (non-wetlands).

Features

Woody, epiphytic much branched, bushy hemiparasite. producing multiple haustoria (these attaching at intervals long host branch) and epicortical, often spiraled roots. Leaves opposite, coriaceous. Petioles`5-50 mm long, flattened and slightly winged. lamina 30-60(-80) × 15-40(-68) mm, dark green to yellow-green, broadly elliptic, slightly ovate, ovate, obovate to rhomboid, base attenuate, apex obtuse to rounded. Inflorescences axillary, solitary of paired, in cymose panicles, these 10-15(-20) mm long with 8-9-12(-15) flowers arranged in threes. Flowers male, female or hermaphroditic (the dioecious condition most commonly seen when Ileostylus is parasitic on species of totara (Podocarpus spp.). Calyx cylindrical, presenting as an truncate rather obscure narrow rim 0.2 mm high. Petals 4, free, c.3-4 mm × 0.8-1.6 mm, greenish to yellow-green. Anthers 4, basifixed. Style contorted, usually initially coiled in middle, up to 3.0-4.5 mm long when uncoiled. Ovary 1-locular. Fruit a 1-seeded, 5-8 mm, yellow or orange, ellipsoid or globular (rarely ellipsoid-globular) berry. Seed 5.0-5.5 mm long, elliptic, rounded at both ends, terete.

Similar taxa

Tupeia antarctica is often confused with Ileostylus. Ileostylus differs from Tupeia by its external rather than internal haustoria; having multiple haustoria and epicortical roots; by the styles of the flowers which are characteristically ‘bent’ rather than straight; by the yellow or orange rather than white or white spotted purple fruit; and by the young stems that are squarish rather than round (terete) in cross-section.

Flowering

September - December

Flower colours

Green

Fruiting

December - July

Life cycle

Fleshy berries are dispersed by frugivory (Thorsen et al., 2009).

Propagation technique

Difficult. For best results use fresh fruit. Fruit should be squeezed gently so that seed is exposed. The exposed seed should be placed on a suitable host branchlet (ideally in dry weather so that the fruit does not wash off), and allowed to dry. Sometimes the fruit may need to be covered with netting to exclude birds. Then its up to the Gods! Seed almost always germinates (it will even germinate on glass) but unless an attachment is formed (and this may take months) the young plant soon dies. Some people find growing Ileostylus straight forward, others tricky. The process is often rather hit and miss and best results seem to be achieved when seed is placed on the same host plant (ideally the same genotype of the host) as that parasitized by the mother plant.

Etymology

ileostylus: Style folded like a small intestine

micranthus: Small flower

Attribution

Factsheet and description prepared for the NZPCN by P.J. de Lange (7 May 2011).

References and further reading

Cameron, E.K. 2000. An update of the distribution and discovery of Ileostylus micranthus in the Auckland region. Auckland Botanical Society Journal, 55: 39-44

Duguid, F. 1967. Hosts of Loranthus micranthus. Wellington Botanical Society Bulletin, 34: 23-24

Menzies, B. 1945. Loranthus micranthus. Auckland Botanical Society Journal, 2: 8-9

Moore, S. 1987. Mistletoes are urban parks ideal habitats? Wellington Botanical Society Bulletin, 43: 26-27

Silbery, T. 2002. A sticky solution to a tricky problem: restoration of Ileostylus micranthus. Wellington Botanical Society Bulletin,  48: 27-32

Stanley, R. 1998. Mistletoe hunt in Hunua. Auckland Botanical Society Journal, 53: 74-75

Young, M. 1996. Information on the ileostylus intersection. Auckland Botanical Society Journal, 51: 68-69.

Thorsen, M. J.; Dickinson, K. J. M.; Seddon, P. J. 2009. Seed dispersal systems in the New Zealand flora. Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics 11: 285-309

NZPCN Fact Sheet citation

Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Ileostylus micranthus Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/ileostylus-micranthus/ (Date website was queried)

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