Vern.: “Perbikh”.
Viscum stellatum Buch-Ham. ex D. Don
Plant shrubby, yellowish-green; stem jointed, dichotomously branched, swollen at the nodes. Leaves sessile, elliptic to oblanceolate or obovate, 2.5-7 cm long, 0.5-3.5 cm broad, entire, obtuse, 3-5-nerved. Flowers sessile, in 3-5 flowered fascicles; bracts 2, concave, 2 mm long, obtuse, ciliate. Perianth lobes 3-4, free, 1 mm long, triangular, thick, deciduous. Anthers 4, dehiscing by numerous pores. Ovary. 2 mm long, obovoid; stigma 1 mm long, conical. Berry c. 1 cm broad, globose; seed 5-6 mm long, embedded in a white viscid pulp.
Fl. Per.: March-May.
Type: Described from Europe.
Distribution: Europe, N. Africa, N. and W. Asia, Japan, India, Afghanistan and W. Pakistan.
The Mistletoe is found in the hills of W. Pakistan up to 3000 m alt. s.m. Parasitic on Horse-chestnut, Willow, Apricot, Poplar and Walnut. During winter when the berries ripen the plants are sold as Christmas decorations.