Quacimmila de canario (Phoradendron quadrangulare, Fl. Brit. W. I.: 711 (1864))

Family: Santalaceae

Author: (Kunth) Griseb.

Bibliography: Fl. Brit. W. I.: 711 (1864)

Year: 1864

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Phoradendron

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mexico to Trop. America

Description

Quacimmila de canario, scientifically known as Phoradendron quadrangulare, belongs to the Santalaceae family. This intriguing plant species was first described and recorded in the work “Fl. Brit. W. I.: 711” published in 1864 and authored by (Kunth) Griseb.

Phoradendron quadrangulare thrives in the diverse climatic conditions from Mexico extending through to tropical regions of America. As a member of the Santalaceae family, it exhibits the characteristic features of parasitic plants found within this group. The plant typically attaches itself to host trees from which it derives its nutrients, a common trait among its relatives.

This species holds ecological significance within its habitat, contributing to the complex web of interactions among flora and fauna. The presence of Phoradendron quadrangulare often indicates a well-established and mature ecosystem, as it relies on established trees for its survival. Additionally, it plays a role in supporting various wildlife, including birds that may feed on its berries and insects benefiting from its blossoms.

Though often overlooked, Phoradendron quadrangulare presents a fascinating subject of study for botanists and ecologists alike, offering insights into the dynamics of parasitic plant species and their role in tropical ecosystems.

Common Names

Eng: quacimmila de canario
En: Quacimmila de canario
Es: Matapalo

Synonyms

• Phoradendron rusbyanum (Trel.)
• Loranthus viscifolius (Kunth)
• Phoradendron randiae ((Bello) Britton)
• Phoradendron randiae f. longum ((Trel.) Stehlé)
• Viscum kunthianum (DC.)
• Phoradendron randiae var. orientale ((Trel.) Stehlé)
• Phoradendron quadrangulare var. gracile (Krug & Urb.)
• Loranthus quadrangularis (Kunth)
• Phoradendron moringicola (Trel.)
• Phoradendron gaumeri (Trel.)
• Phoradendron huricola (Trel.)
• Phoradendron zacapanum (Trel.)
• Viscum salicifolium (C.Presl)
• Phoradendron quadrangulare var. avenia (Hieron. ex Trel.)
• Phoradendron manatense (Trel.)
• Phoradendron libertadanum (Trel.)
• Phoradendron townsendii (Trel.)
• Phoradendron ceibanum (Trel.)
• Phoradendron franciscanum (Trel.)
• Phoradendron viscifolium ((Kunth) Trel.)
• Phoradendron cayanum (Trel.)
• Phoradendron guazumae (Trel.)
• Phoradendron commutatum (Trel.)
• Phoradendron sonanum (Trel.)
• Phoradendron belizense (Trel.)
• Phoradendron herrerense (Trel.)
• Phoradendron salicifolium ((C.Presl) Eichler)
• Phoradendron antillarum var. orientale (Trel.)
• Phoradendron antillarum f. longum (Trel.)
• Phoradendron petenense (Trel.)
• Phoradendron paquitanum (Trel.)
• Phoradendron antillarum (Trel.)
• Phoradendron gracile var. ballii (Trel.)
• Phoradendron gracile ((Krug & Urb.) Trel.)
• Viscum randiae (Bello)
• Phoradendron martianum (Trel.)
• Phoradendron millspaughii (Trel.)
• Phoradendron venezuelense var. filispicum (Rizzini)
• Viscum trigonum (D.Dietr.)
• Phoradendron cocquericotanum (Trel.)
• Phoradendron tamaulipense (Trel.)
• Phoradendron rubrum var. gracile ((Krug & Urb.) Fawc. & Rendle)
• Phoradendron venezuelense (Trel.)
• Phoradendron rehderianum (Urb.)
• Phoradendron rensonii (Trel.)
• Viscum quadrangulare ((Kunth) DC.)

Distribution

• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexican Pacific Is. (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Windward Is. (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Sep 2, 2022 by Muzzachiodi Norberto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 17, 2015 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 10, 2014 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 7, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 2, 2022 by Muzzachiodi Norberto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 26, 2022 by ODwyer patricio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 7, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 19, 2022 by Lais Lais (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 10, 2014 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 2, 2022 by Muzzachiodi Norberto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2022 by Muzzachiodi Norberto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 7, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jan 7, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 21, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2889874)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:60443757-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Phoradendron quadrangulare (Kunth) Griseb.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Subshrub, Shrub

Growth