Plicosepalus acaciae (syn. Loranthus acaciae), the acacia strap flower or acacia mistletoe, is a species of hemiparasitic flowering plant in the family Loranthaceae. It is native to northeastern Africa, the Levant, and the Arabian Peninsula. As its common and scientific names suggest, it parasitizes acacias; Vachellia tortilis subsp. raddiana (formerly Acacia raddiana) and V. t. subsp. tortilis (formerly A. tortilis). It seeds are dispersed by the white-spectacled bulbul (Pycnonotus xanthopygos) and grow directly out of the bark of the acacia tree. It also commonly provides nectar for the Palestine sunbird.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it poisonous?
We have no record of Plicosepalus acaciae being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Tapinanthus oleifolius
- Plicosepalus undulatus
- Plicosepalus kalachariensis
- Septulina glauca
- Tristerix verticillatus
- Tapinanthus quequensis
Classification
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Phylum
- Tracheophyta
- Class
- Magnoliopsida
- Order
- Santalales
- Family
- Loranthaceae
- Genus
- Plicosepalus
- Species
- Plicosepalus acaciae
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