Bandalike (ಬಂದಳಿಕೆ): The Honeysuckle Mistletoe Growing on Trees
While walking through our farm, I noticed a dense cluster of green branches with bright pink tubular flowers growing from a mango tree. At first glance it looked like part of the tree itself, but it was something entirely different Bandalike (ಬಂದಳಿಕೆ), also known as honeysuckle mistletoe (Dendrophthoe falcata), a member of the Loranthaceae family. Native to India, Sri Lanka and much of Southeast Asia, Dendrophthoe falcata is a large woody hemiparasitic shrub. Unlike fully parasitic plants, it contains chlorophyll and can produce its own food through photosynthesis. However, it still depends on a host tree for water and dissolved nutrients.
How does it live on a tree?
The mistletoe establishes itself using a specialised structure called a haustorium. This penetrates the host branch and connects to its vascular tissues, allowing the mistletoe to draw water and minerals while continuing to make sugars through photosynthesis. The seeds are usually dispersed by birds. Once deposited on a suitable branch, they germinate on the bark and gradually develop a haustorium, permanently attaching themselves to the host.
Why do farmers remove it?
As the mistletoe grows, it forms a swollen attachment point where it connects to the branch. From there it continually draws water and nutrients from the host. A light infestation may not immediately kill a healthy tree, but over time heavy infestations weaken the tree, reduce growth and fruit production, and can eventually lead to branch dieback or even death.
Once the mistletoe is detached from the host branch, it cannot survive because its connection to the water supply is lost. This is why removing the entire attachment point is important to prevent regrowth. In natural forests, mistletoes are part of the ecosystem and provide nectar for birds and insects. It is a beautiful plant however, Dendrophthoe falcata is considered a significant pest in orchards because it commonly infests economically important trees such as lime, mango, guava and other fruit trees.
Traditional medicinal importance
Interestingly, this mistletoe also has a long history in traditional medicine. One fascinating aspect is that its medicinal properties are believed to vary depending on the host tree on which it grows. In several traditional healing systems, mistletoe collected from different hosts is used for different therapeutic purposes, making the identity of the host tree an important consideration.
How the mistletoe invades its host
The seed of Dendrophthoe falcata, usually deposited by birds, germinates on a suitable branch. As it begins to grow, it develops a small peg like swelling called a haustorium. This specialised invasion organ secretes enzymes that soften the bark and cortex, allowing it to penetrate the host branch until it reaches the xylem. Once connected, the mistletoe draws water and minerals directly from the host while producing its own food through photosynthesis.
