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between 1894 and 1896, Van Tieghem distinguished numerous segregate genera and 
new species. Many of Van Tieghem's critical observations on inflorescence and flower 
structure provided the framework of the current taxonomic treatments of the two 
families. However Van Tieghem's descriptions were usually cryptic, and his use of 
diagnostic characters for generic delimitation was often mechanical. Largely through 
the influence of Engler and Prantl (1894, 1897), Van Tieghem's genera were mostly 
reduced to sectional rank or lower, and the two large genera Loranthus and Visciim 
remained in favour. 
Credit for resolution of these extreme taxonomic treatments belongs largely with 
Danser (1929,1933), who critically reviewed Van Tieghem's work, and apphed generic 
concepts which were consistent with those used elsewhere at the time. Although 
Danser did not accept Loranthaceae and Viscaceae as distinct families, his work has 
provided the framework for the current generic treatment of these two families. 
Today Loranthaceae are accepted as comprising about 74 genera and 1300 species, 
and Viscaceae 7 genera and about 400 species (Kuijt 1989). 
The most recent taxonomic research in Loranthaceae and Viscaceae (in papers too 
numerous to cite) is by J. Kuijt (new world), B.A. Barlow (Asia-Australasia) and 
R.M. Polhill and D. Wiens (Africa). For the most part, this work has refined the generic 
and specific framework established by Danser. The most significant developments are 
the addition of many species discovered as new to science since Danser's time, and 
the recognition of a number of new genera (which approximately balances the number 
reduced to synonymy). 
The taxonomic history of Loranthaceae and Viscaceae in Australia conforms with 
the broader development outlined above, and is summarized in Tables 1 and 2 
(which exclude taxa of Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands). The first comprehensive 
treatment of mistletoes for Australia was that of Blakely (1922a, 1922b, 1922c, 1923, 
1924, 1925, 1928), and it followed Engler and Prantl's (1897) system which placed 
most species in two large genera Loranthus and Viscum. 
Table 1. Australian genera and species of Loranthaceae (sens, str.), as recognized by successive 
students of the family. Epithets shown in italics under Danser indicate species accepted by 
him but not known from Australia at the time. 
Blakely 
(1922-1925) 
Danser 
(1929-1938) 
Barlow 
(1962-1993) 
ATKINSONIA 
ATKINSONIA 
ATKINSONIA 
ligustrina 
ligustrina 
ligustrina 
NUYTSIA 
NUYTSIA 
NUYTSIA 
floribunda 
floribunda 
floribunda 
PHRYGILANTHUS 
PHRYGILANTHUS 
MUELLERINA 
celastroides 
celastroides 
celastroides 
eucalyptoides 
eucalyptoides 
eucalyptoides 
myrtifolius 
myrtifolius 
myrtifolia 
bidwillii 
bidwillii 
bidwillii 
CECARRIA 
- 
obtusifolius 
obtusifolia 
