|synonyms = *Loranthus calyculatus DC.- Hyphipus trigona Raf.
- Chatinia calyculata (DC.) Tiegh.
- Loranthus jacquinii DC.
- Loranthus pedunculatus Spreng. ex Steud.
- Loranthus plumieri Cham. & Schltdl.
|synonyms_ref = [3]
}}Psittacanthus calyculatus, (erva de passerinho), is a species of neotropical mistletoe in the Loranthaceae family, native to Colombia,
Mexico , the Mexican Gulf and Venezuela.[3]Description
Psittacanthus calyculatus is hairless, with nearly terete branches.[5] The leaves are opposite and ovate or lanceolate, having almost no petiole, and without veins.[5]The inflorescences are terminal and in groups of three yellow to scarlet flowers which have cup-shaped bracts under them.[5]
Life cycle
In October or November, the fruit matures, and is eaten by a bird, who voids the seed. By November, if the defecation site is a suitable branch, the seed may have infected the host, and initial buds will start to appear.[8] Vegetative growth continues, until, four years after the initial infection, the plant flowers in November, with fruit becoming mature the following year from October to February.[8] Thus, there are some five years required for its life-cycle.[8]
Ecology
Vasquez Collazo and Geils (2002) report eleven observed conifer hosts for Psittacanthus calyculatus: Abies religiosa, Pinus douglasiana, P. lawsonii, P. leiophylla, P. michoacana, P. pseudostrobus, P. teocote, P. montezumae, P. herrerai, P. pringlei, and P. rudis.[8]
At least nineteen bird species (insectivores, omnivores, and granivores) have been seen feeding on the fruits.[8]
Taxonomy
Psittacanthus calyculatus was first described by de Candolle in 1830 as Loranthus calyculatus,[13][14] and in 1834, Don assigned
it to the new genus Psittacanthus.[[5]]
Etymology
Psittacanthos comes from the Greek psittakos (parrot), and the Greek anthos (flower), chosen according to Don[5], possibly because of the bright colours. Calyculatus is the Latin for provided with a calyculus which is a cup-like structure below the calyx, formed by a whorl of bracts[18]References
1. ^1 {{cite web|url=http://www.ipni.org/ipni/idPlantNameSearch.do?id=549179-1|title=IPNI: Loranthus calyculatus|publisher=International Plant Names Index|accessdate=19 May 2018}}
2. ^1 2 Govaerts, R. et. al. 2018. {{cite web|url=http://plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:551347-1|title=Plants of the World online: Psittacanthus calyculatus|publisher=Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew|accessdate=20 May 2018}}
3. ^1 2 3 4 5 Don, G. 1834. {{cite web|url=https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/341991|title=A general history of the dichlamydeous plants :comprising complete descriptions of the different orders...the whole arranged according to the natural system 3: 415.}}
4. ^1 de Candolle, A.P. 1830. Collection de memoires pour servir a l'histoire du regne vegetal. Sixieme memoire sur la famille des Loranthacees vi. t. 10.
5. ^1 Stearn, W.T. 2004. Botanical Latin 4th Edition, p.380. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon
6. ^1 2 3 4 5 Vasquez Collazo, I, Geils, B.W. 2002. {{cite web|url=https://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/rmrs_gtr098/rmrs_gtr098_009_017.pdf |title= Chapter 2 Psittacanthus in Mexico.}} In Mistletoes of North American Conifers. Retrieved 24 May 2018