Chapter 2. Psittacanthus in Mexico

Abstract

The Psittacanthus, parrot-flower, is the only genus of the family Loranthaceae that is significant to conifer forestry in North America. These mistletoes do not occur in Canada or the United States; and in Mexico, they are only important in central and southern portions. Psittacanthus also occurs in Central America (rarely on conifers) and other regions of the tropical New World where these mistletoes achieve their greatest diversity and abundance on numerous hardwoods. Plants are showy (fig. 2-1), become quite large, and are locally abundant. They are damaging to conifers, but they also provide special resource values. Because there are few studies for Psittacanthus on conifers (for example, Vázquez 1993a) and the taxonomy is confused, information on these mistletoes is sparse and difficult to interpret. This chapter reviews Psittacanthus on conifers with regard to life cycle, description, damage, importance, and management.

Parent Publication

• Mistletoes of North American conifers

Citation

Collazo, I. Vázquez; Geils, B. W. 2002. Chapter 2. Psittacanthus in Mexico. In: Geils, Brian W.; Cibrián Tovar, Jose; Moody, Benjamin, tech. coords. Mistletoes of North American Conifers. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-98. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 9-17