A recent study highlights the surprising role of a native Chilean mistletoe, Tristerix corymbosus, in combating invasive tree species in urban environments. This parasitic plant, known for its vibrant red flowers, typically infests native trees but has shifted to fast-growing non-native hosts, such as Populus and Acacia species. We found that T. corymbosus thrives on these invaders, growing larger and more abundant than on native hosts, ultimately weakening or even killing them. The mistletoe’s preference for nonnative trees suggests it could act as a natural biocontrol agent, helping to restore ecosystems overrun by invasive plants. Unlike traditional biocontrol methods, which often rely on introduced species, Tristerix is a native parasite, posing minimal risk to local biodiversity, while providing valuable food resources for native fauna. This discovery challenges the view of parasitic plants as purely harmful, showcasing their potential to balance ecosystems by suppressing invasive species. The study calls for further research to explore the broader applications of T. corymbosus in invasion management and its ecological impacts.
For more details, read the full article in New Phytologist: https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.70203