In the misty rainforests of southern Chile, we have discovered a crucial shift in the forest’s food web as we go higher into the mountains. We studied two types of mistletoe, which are parasitic plants. In the lowlands, a generalist mistletoe thrives on many tree species, while a picky, specialist mistletoe only grows on beech […]

In the dry landscapes of north-central Chile, a large rainfall unexpectedly changed the rules of survival for two local mistletoe species. Researchers found that the heavy winter rains caused one mistletoe to produce fewer flowers, while the other flourished, producing more flowers and fruit. This difference had a ripple effect on the local wildlife. The […]

In the dry landscapes of Chile, two mistletoe species are proving that teamwork pays off—even for parasitic plants. A new study reveals that Tristerix aphyllus and Tristerix verticillatus, although competitors for pollinators and seed dispersers, actually help each other thrive when living side by side. Using camera traps over a two-year period, we found that […]

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 […]

In the temperate rainforests of southern Chile, scientists have uncovered a fascinating relationship between mistletoes and lianas (woody vines). A recent study published in Ecology reveals that these parasitic plants thrive on lianas, possibly as a survival strategy against drought and a clever way to spread their seeds. Mistletoes, which depend on host plants for […]

A recent study by Gabriela S. Olivares et al., conducted in the southern South American temperate rainforests, revealed how habitat structure influences the behavior of the arboreal marsupial Dromiciops bozinovici and the genetic diversity of two mistletoe species (Tristerix corymbosus and Desmaria mutabilis). Using camera traps and DNA sequencing, we found that D. bozinovici visits T. corymbosus more frequently in evergreen forests and D. […]