Mistletoe

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Mistletoes

When walking in the rain forest
I noticed this beautiful orange vine
called the Mistletoe Vine

The vine is semi parasitic.
It is found in the forest canopy
deriving water and nutrients
from the host tree
and carrying out some photosynthesis.

But how does the vine
get into the higher reaches
of the forest canopy?

the Mistletoe Vine has this little bird to thank.
The bird is also named the Mistletoe.


Perched in the high branches
the birds eat the soft berries of the vine
which can pass through their digestive systems
in five to twenty five minutes.

A very sticky poop is deposited on the branch
in a fancy series of swiping movements
and from there the seeds can germinate spontaneously.

A male Mistletoe

The Mistletoe bird is the only Australian
in the woodpecker family and
is known as a flower-pecker.

The male has a glossy black head,
bright red throat and chest
and a white belly.
The female is grey above and white below
with pale red under her tail.


The Mistletoe birds also eat pollen, nectar,
spiders and insects to balance their diet.


The Mistletoe bird and the Mistletoe Vine
enjoy a fruitful symbiotic relationship.
Birds ensure the vines keeps growing
the vines provide food for the birds.



Nature is wonderful...

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I will be absent for a few days,
hopping across the Tasman Sea
to visit family...



Happy Days



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