»Oct., 1921 
The Queensland Naturalist. 
39 
NOTES ON MISTLETOES. 
By C. T. White, F.L.S., Government Botanist. 
In forwarding specimens from Kyogle (N.S.W.) of a 
mistletoe for exhibit at the July meeting of the club, Mr. 
.J. C. Hayes wrote: — “The most remarkable thing about 
this parasite is that it is invariably found growing on other 
mistletoes. An examination will reveal two characteristics 
which render it one of the most distinct and beautiful 
members of the mistletoe family. (1) The leaves are thin, 
woolly, and quite unlike the fleshy foliage of the common 
mistletoe. (2) The colour of the young shoots, flowers, and 
under surface of the leaves is a beautiful golden yellow. 
The fruits are small- and semi-transparent, and the seed 
surrounded by a sticky substance characteristic of the 
family. 1 first found this species growing 011 a common 
mistletoe which was in turn growing on a hoop pine, and in 
a search extending over some weeks 1 found it living on its 
parasitic relations who had selected various forest trees for 
their hosts, including scrub box (Tristania) , red gum 
(Eucalyptus) , apple (Ango-phora) , and forest oak ( Casuo - 
rina ) . ” 
The specimen forwarded by Mr. Ilayes proved to be 
Xotothixos sabaureus. His remarks are borne out by 
observers in New South Wales and in Queensland. This 
-species is quite common in the neighbourhood of Brisbane, 
but 1 have never noticed it attack any other plant than 
another mistletoe, a species of either Lora /ttkus or Vise uni. 
Mr. Hayes’s note led to an interesting discussion as to 
the relationship of the mistletoes and their hosts. Mr. R. 
Illidge stated that he had never noticed Lora n th us lino - 
phyllus on any other trees than easuarinas or she oaks, and 
I may mention that I have never seen L. pendulus on any 
trees other than eucalypts; these are cases where close simi- 
larity exists between the foliage of host and parasite. On 
the other hand L. congener , a broad-leaved species, though 
abundant in forest country on various trees, seems most 
partial to easuarinas. L. longiflorus is common in forest 
country about Brisbane, living on both native and cultivated 
trees; it is very common on the swamp mahogany ( Tristania 
:suavelens). L. dictyophlebus is abundant on the broad- 
leaved trees of the “scrub” or “rain forest” (jungle). 
Some discussion arose as to the spread of the mistletoe 
cother than by the Mistletoe Bird (Diemim) , it being very 
evident that some of the larger fruited species, such as 
L. dictyophlebus , must be spread by larger birds. Other 
members taking part in the discussion were Mr. A. II. 
Chisholm and Mr. J. E. Young. 
