Botanical name: Helixanthera ligustrina    Family: Loranthaceae (Mistletoe family)
Synonyms: Loranthus ligustrinus, Dendrophthoe ligustrina, Dithecina ligustrina

Privet Mistletoe is a semi-parasite living on branches of tree. Stems are woody, greenish brown with dark brown warts irregularly scattered all over stem. Diameter of the stem is about 7 mm. Monopodial stem has many number of foot like structures by which it establishes contact to its host. Leaves are yellowish green, broad, measuring 8-9 x 5 cm, entire, with minute leaf-stalk to stalkless, opposite decussate, elliptical to ovate, pointed, base broader. Prominent mid rib, extending up to leaf tip. Inflorescence is closely arranged raceme. Flowers are small, buds measuring 2.2 cm, olive greenish brown, non-fragrant unattractive. Tubular flowers open partially, 4 petals curled back, crimson. Four stamens are bilocular to tetralocular. Anther lobes are crimson to brown. Fruits are club shaped, woolly, thin walled, stalked. Matured fruit is greenish yellow in color. Privet Mistletoe is found in the Himalaya to Indo-China, Philippines, at altitudes of 900-1700 m.

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The flower labeled Privet Mistletoe is ...