VISCUML. - SANDALWOOD
Scientific Description:
Hemiparasitic evergreen shrubs. Leaves opposite, parallel-veined. Inflorescence cymose, flowers crowded. Perianth uniseriate, bracteate. Anthers adnate to tepals, dehiscing by numerous pores. Fruit an internally viscid berry.
Reference:
Miller AG (1982). Viscum L., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 7: 547.
Public Description:
Viscum, commonly known as “sandalwood”, is native to temperate and tropical regions of Asia, Europe, Africa and Australasia. There are approximately 74 species in the world and 1 species (3 taxa) in Türkiye. They are small semi-woody shrubs that grow up to 80 cm in length, living semi-parasitically on woody shrubs and trees. The greenish-yellow-colored flowers are not obvious. They have berry-like fruit in mostly white and yellowish-colored filled with a viscid substance. Mistletoe species are poisonous and when consumed the fruit causes a weak pulse and acute gastrointestinal problems including stomach pain and diarrhea.
References:
Anonymous 1 (2017). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viscum, Accessed date: 15.01.2018.
Anonymous 2 (2017). http://www.theplantlist.org/1.1/browse/A/Santalaceae/Viscum/,Accessed date: 15.01.2018.
Anonymous 3 (2017). https://gobotany.newenglandwild.org/search/?q=viscum, Accessed date: 15.01.2018.
Kandemir A (2012).Viscum L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 840–841.