Macrosolen parasiticus

Macrosolen parasiticus is a species of parasitic shrub in the family Loranthaceae.^[2] It is commonly called parasite honeysuckle. It is widely distributed in tropical South and South West Indian regions especially in the Western Ghats.^[3] Macrosolen parasiticus species were described by Danser (1938).^[4]

Macrosolen parasiticus
At Thattekad in India
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Santalales
Family:	Loranthaceae
Genus:	Macrosolen
Species:	M. parasiticus
Binomial name
Macrosolen parasiticus (L.) Danser
Synonyms[1]
Lonicera parasitica L. Blumella loniceroides (L.) Tiegh. Elytranthe lonicerioides (L.) G.Don Elytranthe parasitica (L.) Danser Iticania loniceroides Raf. Loranthus loniceroides L. Loranthus macrophyllus Zenker Loranthus umbellatus B.Heyne Tolypanthus loniceroides (L.) Blume

Description

Macrosolen parasiticus is a parasitic shrub with thickened stem at nodes, like mistletoe. The oppositely arranged, ovate-lanceolate leaves have sharp tips and rounded bases. The leaf stalk (petiole) is 6–12 mm long. The flowers are few and stalkless. The peduncle carrying the spikes is up to 1 cm long. The flowers have a long, variegated, reddish flower tube, which is slightly curved. It has six, 5–6 mm long petals which are green and turned back.^{[clarification needed]} The fruit is an ovoid berry, green, with persistent sepals.^[2] Flowering and fruiting occurs from December to May.^[3]