Dendropemon
Encyclopedia
Dendropemon is a genus of mistletoe
s which is endemic to the Caribbean
. Members of the genus are hemi-parasites
which normally grow on trees and shrubs, although self-parasitism is known to occur. The approximately 31 species range from The Bahamas
and Cuba
in the north and west, to Barbados
and St. Vincent
in the southwest. Diversity and endemism is highest on the island of Hispaniola
.
The name Dendropemon coined by botanist Carl Ludwig Blume
in 1830. He recognised it as a section within the genus Loranthus
, rather than a distinct genus. Although no derivation was given for the name of the genus, it is believed to come from the Greek dendron (δένδρν), tree, and pemon (πήμων), harmful.
, opposite leaves and stems that are generally rounded or square, but are occasionally winged. Epicortical roots are present in most, if not all species. These roots run along the surface of the host plant's branches and produce haustoria which grow into the stem of the host plant. Fruit are single-seeded berries that can be multi-coloured, often black, purple, red or orange. The seeds are surrounded by viscin, which helps them adhere to tree branches.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe is the common name for obligate hemi-parasitic plants in several families in the order Santalales. The plants in question grow attached to and within the branches of a tree or shrub.-Mistletoe in the genus Viscum:...
s which is endemic to the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
. Members of the genus are hemi-parasites
Parasitic plant
A parasitic plant is one that derives some or all of its sustenance from another plant. About 4,100 species in approximately 19 families of flowering plants are known. Parasitic plants have a modified root, the haustorium, that penetrates the host plant and connects to the xylem, phloem, or...
which normally grow on trees and shrubs, although self-parasitism is known to occur. The approximately 31 species range from The Bahamas
The Bahamas
The Bahamas , officially the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, is a nation consisting of 29 islands, 661 cays, and 2,387 islets . It is located in the Atlantic Ocean north of Cuba and Hispaniola , northwest of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and southeast of the United States...
and Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
in the north and west, to Barbados
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
and St. Vincent
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an island country in the Lesser Antilles chain, namely in the southern portion of the Windward Islands, which lie at the southern end of the eastern border of the Caribbean Sea where the latter meets the Atlantic Ocean....
in the southwest. Diversity and endemism is highest on the island of Hispaniola
Hispaniola
Hispaniola is a major island in the Caribbean, containing the two sovereign states of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The island is located between the islands of Cuba to the west and Puerto Rico to the east, within the hurricane belt...
.
The name Dendropemon coined by botanist Carl Ludwig Blume
Carl Ludwig Blume
Charles Ludwig de Blume or Karl Ludwig von Blume was a German-Dutch botanist.He was born at Braunschweig in Germany, but studied at Leiden University and spent his professional life working in the Dutch East Indies and in the Netherlands, where he was Director of the Rijksherbarium at Leiden...
in 1830. He recognised it as a section within the genus Loranthus
Loranthus
Loranthus is a genus of mostly parasitic plants that grow on the branches of woody trees. It belongs to the family Loranthaceae, the showy mistletoe family...
, rather than a distinct genus. Although no derivation was given for the name of the genus, it is believed to come from the Greek dendron (δένδρν), tree, and pemon (πήμων), harmful.
Description
Dendropemon is a genus of hemi-parasitic mistletoes which parasitise trees and shrubs. Plants are "moderate" sized with simpleLeaf shape
In botany, leaf shape is characterised with the following terms :* Acicular : Slender and pointed, needle-like* Acuminate : Tapering to a long point...
, opposite leaves and stems that are generally rounded or square, but are occasionally winged. Epicortical roots are present in most, if not all species. These roots run along the surface of the host plant's branches and produce haustoria which grow into the stem of the host plant. Fruit are single-seeded berries that can be multi-coloured, often black, purple, red or orange. The seeds are surrounded by viscin, which helps them adhere to tree branches.