Loranthus
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| Loranthus | ||||||||||||
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 Loranthus europaeus
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Loranthus is a genus of parasitic plants that grow on the branches of woody trees. [1]
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[edit] Distribution
Throughout the world. Occurs in plenty in Kerala India, as a menace on Mango trees (Mangifera indica).
[edit] Characteristics
These plants grows strongly on ageing trees particularly somewhere in the middle of old branches. Once established, it quickly steals the nutrients and sunlight by covering the encroached place such that the branch of the host tree is rendered weak and inactive. Loranthus blooms are rose in colour. It becomes a menace over a period of time for the struggling trees by stealing the sunlight needed for photosynthesis.
[edit] Control
Cutting the branch affected by Loranthus before it spreads to other branches of the tree may be a method.[citation needed] However, using larvae of the Common Jezebel butterfly would be the best method of natural control.[citation needed] The leaves of Loranthus are food for the larvae. The larvae grow in scores and hence can quickly eat away the leaves of Loranthus. Moreover, the larvae undergo metamorphosis later into beautiful butterflies called Common Jezebel which are very good pollinators and hence useful for trees.
