Mistletoe

While at Tiritiri Matangi Island, we found this fascinating plant. It is a mistletoe and was growing on a karo host tree. I hadn't heard the term 'hemiparasitic' before, but knew that 'hemi' meant half. So, it turns out, that hemiparasitic means that in this case, the mistletoe gets goodies from the karo (from the roots growing into the trunk and into the sap), yet it also produces its own starch from photosynthesising. Very interesting indeed. Apparently there have only been two mistletoe plants found on Tiritiri.

[Issi Bannerman]

We have lots of mistletoe on the trees here. Apparently not good for the host trees it chooses! Lovely informative image, and yes, a very interesting plant.

[vonski]

Hope you had someone to kiss beneath the mistletoe. I think they are grow on Apple trees here, especially for Christmas.

[Dianne]

@ilovelenses Um - no such luck! I was with my cousin @julzmaioro and think she may have run away screaming about that idea!

[julia]

@ilovelenses Very pleased that any idea of kissing did not cross @dide 's mind... lol... it is a very interesting plant and something that I have not seen before.. fav

[vonski]

@julzmaioro do you not have it up for Christmas?

[julia]

@ilovelenses No it is not something that Kiwi's do .. the plant is very rare ..

[vonski]

@julzmaioro This is why I love the 365 not only do you see some gorgeous photography, you also get to learn about other people and places

[Hazel]

Different from our mistletoe - very interesting.

[Babs]

Super shot and interesting info.

[Annamaria]

Great shot, very informative!

[bkb in the city]

Very nice

[Taffy]

Unusual -- interesting to read.

[Valerie Chesney]

How interesting, very different to our mistletoe, I am always learning on 365...

[Tony]

Interesting apture.