Origin and Common Names
Viscum obscurum Thunb. var. decurrens Engl. is a plant species that belongs to the family Santalaceae. This plant is native to Southern Africa and mainly found in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, and South Africa. It is commonly known as the Tree Mistletoe, African Mistletoe, or the Flat-stemmed Mistletoe.
Appearance
The Tree Mistletoe is a parasitic evergreen shrub that grows on the trunk and branches of host trees. The plant can reach up to 1 meter in height and 1.2 meters in diameter. Its stem is flattened and can be up to 15 mm wide. It has smooth and shiny leaves that are 25–40 mm long and 5–15 mm wide. The Tree Mistletoe produces small, greenish-white flowers that measure 1.5-2 mm long. The plant also bears small, fleshy, white or pinkish fruit that contains 1 or 2 seeds.
Uses
The Tree Mistletoe has been used by traditional healers in Southern Africa for centuries. The plant is known to have several medicinal properties and it is used to treat a variety of ailments. It is believed to be effective in treating high blood pressure, diabetes, infertility, fatigue, and respiratory infections. The plant is also used in rituals to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. However, it should be noted that the use of mistletoe should only be done under the supervision of a qualified health practitioner as it can be toxic if consumed in large quantities.
Aside from its medicinal value, the Tree Mistletoe is also an important ecological resource. It is a primary food source for various bird species and mammals. In some cases, it is also used as a decorative plant during the festive season, especially in Europe.
Light Requirements
Viscum obscurum Thunb. var. decurrens Engl. is an evergreen plant that requires partial to full shade for optimal growth. It can tolerate some sunlight, but excessive exposure can damage its leaves.
Temperature Requirements
The plant prefers a cool and moist environment and can survive in temperatures ranging from 10 to 25 degrees Celsius. It cannot tolerate extreme heat and cold and may suffer from frost damage in the winter.
Soil Requirements
Viscum obscurum Thunb. var. decurrens Engl. prefers well-drained, acidic soil with a pH range of 5.0 to 6.5. The plant can grow in a wide range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils. However, it cannot tolerate waterlogged soils and may die if the soil is consistently wet.
Cultivation Method
Viscum obscurum Thunb. var. decurrens Engl. is a parasitic plant that primarily grows on hardwood trees. Therefore, the cultivation of this plant involves growing it on suitable hosts such as elms, oaks, maples, or apple trees, among others. The seeds of Viscum obscurum Thunb. var. decurrens Engl. can be collected from the wild or bought from reputable nurseries. The seeds should be planted on the tree's bark and can be held in place using twine or fine wire mesh. It's also crucial to ensure that the host tree is healthy before planting the Viscum obscurum Thunb. var. decurrens Engl. seeds.
Watering Needs
V. obscurum Thunb. var. decurrens Engl. is a parasitic plant that derives its water and nutrients from its host tree. The plant doesn't require any watering since it gets everything it needs from the tree. However, it's important to ensure that the host tree is well-watered, especially during the dry season, to ensure that the V. obscurum Thunb. var. decurrens Engl. gets enough water to survive.
Fertilization
V. obscurum Thunb. var. decurrens Engl. doesn't require any fertilization since it's a parasitic plant that derives all its nutrients from the host tree. However, it's crucial to ensure that the host tree is healthy and well-fertilized to ensure that the V. obscurum Thunb. var. decurrens Engl. gets the necessary nutrients to grow and thrive.
Pruning
Pruning of V. obscurum Thunb. var. decurrens Engl. isn't necessary. However, it's important to ensure the host tree is pruned regularly to remove any dead or diseased wood that may affect the V. obscurum Thunb. var. decurrens Engl. The host tree should also be pruned to prevent it from becoming too large and blocking out sunlight that the V. obscurum Thunb. var. decurrens Engl. needs to grow and thrive.
Propagation of Viscum obscurum Thunb. var. decurrens Engl.
Viscum obscurum Thunb. var. decurrens Engl. can be propagated by using the following methods:
Seed propagation
The most common method of propagating Viscum obscurum Thunb. var. decurrens Engl. is through seeds. The seeds should be collected from a healthy parent plant during the fruiting season. The seeds can be sown in well-drained soil in the fall or early spring. Before planting, the seeds need to be stratified, which is achieved by exposing them to cold temperatures. This can be done by placing the seeds in a refrigerator for a few weeks.
Stem cuttings
Viscum obscurum Thunb. var. decurrens Engl. can also be propagated by stem cuttings. The cuttings should be taken from a healthy parent plant during the dormant season. The cutting should be about 12-15 cm in length and should include a node. The cutting should be dipped in rooting hormone and planted in a well-draining soil mixture. The soil should be kept moist, and the cutting should be kept in a shaded area until it has developed roots.
Air layering
Air layering is another method of propagating Viscum obscurum Thunb. var. decurrens Engl. This method involves making a small incision in the stem of a healthy parent plant and placing a moist medium around the wound. The wound is then covered with plastic and secured in place. Roots will form in the moist medium, and once they have developed, the stem can be cut from the parent plant and planted in a well-draining soil mixture.
Disease Management
Viscum obscurum Thunb. var. decurrens Engl. is generally a tough plant that can withstand various diseases. However, it is still susceptible to a few ailments such as:
- Rust: Rust is a fungal disease that mostly affects the leaves of the Viscum obscurum Thunb. var. decurrens Engl. plant. It presents itself as yellowish-orange, brown, or black spots on the leaves. To manage rust disease, removing the infected leaves and spraying the plant with a fungicide containing copper is highly recommended.
- Anthracnose: This is another fungal disease that affects the leaves, flowers, and fruits of the Viscum obscurum Thunb. var. decurrens Engl. plant. It can be identified by the dark, water-soaked spots that eventually turn reddish-brown and necrotic as the disease progresses. To manage anthracnose, removing the infected plant parts and spraying the plant with a fungicide like mancozeb is recommended.
- Phytophthora Root Rot: Phytophthora root rot is a grave fungal disease that can lead to the death of the plant. The disease is characterized by yellowing leaves, which then turn brown and fall off the plant. To manage phytophthora root rot, irrigating the plant during dry seasons, applying mulch around the base of the plant, and sterilizing pruning tools between uses to prevent the spread of the disease are recommended measures.
Pest Management
Viscum obscurum Thunb. var. decurrens Engl. may also be attacked by various pests, which include:
- Aphids: Aphids are tiny insects that suck plant sap from the leaves, flowers, and stems of the Viscum obscurum Thunb. var. decurrens Engl. plant. To control aphids, spraying the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil can be highly effective.
- Spider Mites: Spider mites are also sap-sucking pests that attack the Viscum obscurum Thunb. var. decurrens Engl. plant. They are known for making webs on the parts of the plant they infest. To manage spider mites, spraying the plant with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil is highly recommended.
- Scale insects: Scale insects are pests that attach themselves to the leaves and stems of the Viscum obscurum Thunb. var. decurrens Engl. plant and suck its sap. To control scale insects, wiping the plant parts with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol can be effective. Spraying the plant with insecticidal soap can also help to manage the infestation.
