Korthalsella lindsayi
Common name
leafless mistletoe, dwarf mistletoe
Synonyms
Viscum lindsayi D.Oliver, Heterixia lindsayi Tiegh nom. illeg., Korthalsella lindsayi (Oliv.) Endl. var. lindsayi
Family
Viscaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Native
Endemic taxon
Yes
Endemic genus
No
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.
KORLIN
Chromosome number
2n = 28
Current conservation status
The conservation 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). 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.
2012 | Not Threatened
Previous conservation statuses
2009 | Not Threatened
2004 | Not Threatened
Brief description
Dense mass of flattened beaded succulent stems to 10cm long growing on twigs of another plant. Leaves (flattened stems) 5-12mm long by 3-9mm wide, widest towards upper middle. Flowers tiny, fruit small, green, on short spike.
Distribution
Endemic. North and South Islands. In the North Island generally uncommon from Pureora south to about the Hawkes Bay and Wairarapa, there after abundant. In the South Island throughout, though apparently more common in the east.
Habitat
Coastal to subalpine but more usually found in lowland and coastal situations. Usually associated with lowland alluvial and coastal forest. Parasitising a diverse range of shrubs, trees and vines with not clear host preference evident, though regional patterns may exist (this needs further study).
Flowering
October - March
Fruiting
October - June
Life cycle
Fleshy berries are dispersed by ballistic projection, attachment and possibly frugivory (Thorsen et al., 2009).
Propagation technique
Difficult - should not be removed from the wild
Etymology
korthalsella: After Korthals, botanist
Where To Buy
Not commercially available.
References and further reading
Nickrent, D.L.; Malécot, V.; Vidal-Russell, R.; Der, J.P. 2010: A revised classification of Santalales. Taxon 59: 538-558.
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