Leaf shedding is a very common trait among plant species inhabiting dry ecosystems. However, mistletoes typically retain their leaves year-round, as they rely on leaf transpiration to pull resources from the host’s vascular system. Only a few species with a deciduous habit have been described—four species in the Loranthaceae family and all eight species of the Misodendraceae family, which are found in the temperate regions of Eurasia and southern South America.
In the tropical dry forests of western and central Mexico, Psittacanthus palmeri (Loranthaceae) is widespread and often parasitizes Bursera trees, such as Bursera fagaroides (Burseraceae). In our study, we found that both the mistletoe and its host shed their leaves during the dry season. Interestingly, their fruits are very similar in size and color, suggesting they may share the same bird dispersers. We are currently investigating this aspect further.
If you’d like to learn more about the phenophases of these species and their synchronization, you can read our paper here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.flora.2025.152707, or feel free to reach out and ask for it!
