Cinnamon Mistletoe

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Cinnamon Mistletoe

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Taxillus parasiticus
• Scurrula roxburghii
• Cichlanthus scurrula
• Dendrophthoe scurrula

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Santalales, it is classified under the family Loranthaceae and is identified by the genus Scurrula. Specifically, the medicinal species is known as Scurrula parasitica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range across several distinct regions of East Asia. Within mainland China, it can be found throughout the South-Central provinces and the Southeast regions. Its distribution also extends to the island of Hainan and into the high-altitude areas of Tibet. Furthermore, the species is documented to grow in the territory of Taiwan. Collectively, these locations highlight the plant's presence across diverse habitats in the eastern part of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Scurrula parasitica is characterized by its specific altitudinal distribution within montane ecosystems. This species thrives across a distinct elevational gradient, occupying habitats that begin at a minimum altitude of 1250 m AMSL. Its presence is most concentrated around a mean elevation of 1725 m AMSL, indicating a preference for mid-to-high altitude montane environments. The species reaches its upper ecological limit at an elevation of 2400 m AMSL, defining a specialized niche within these mountain ranges.

Elevational range max:

2400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1725 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1250 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Scurrula parasiticus is characterized by a woody, shrub-like growth form that functions as an obligatory parasite. This plant is strictly terrestrial in its habitat and does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies. As an obligatory parasite, it lacks independent nutrient acquisition, relying entirely on a host for survival. The plant reaches a maximum height of approximately 1 meter and is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber or epiphyte. Its structure is defined by its woody nature, contributing to its specialized shrubby habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

obligatory

Plant height max:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Scurrula parasitica involves the development of specialized fruit structures that serve as the primary vehicle for seed dispersal. The morphological characteristics of these fruits show specific dimensional variations, with fruit lengths typically ranging from a minimum of 0.8 cm to a maximum of 1 cm. On average, the fruit length is measured at approximately 0.9 cm, reflecting a consistent structural profile within the species during its reproductive cycle.

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.9 cm

Fruit length min:

0.8 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Scurrula parasitica has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cardiac Glycosides.

Cardiac Glycosides

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Preparations

Scurrula parasitica has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts.

Extracts

1. Materials science & engineering. C, Materials for biological applications