The narrative of Phoradendron leucarpum subsp. Macrophyllum and Rhipsalis tetragone (epiphyte)
Firstly, Phoradendron leucarpum subsp. Macrophyllum in UCLA Herbarium is of the Santalaceae family. The specimen was collected on 5th February 2018 by Rudy Diaz. According to the CCH2 Portal Collections, the location was United States, California, Los Angeles, Santa Monica Mountains and University of California, Los Angeles Campus; Dickinson Court North. One of the recorded characteristics is its habitat is on a cultivated California sycamore. The description of the recorded information shows that Phoradendron leucarpum subsp. Macrophyllum is a perennial parasitic shrub.
This is parasitic plant meaning that it robs their hosts of moisture and some minerals. In reference to the medical use, the plant is also known as mistletoe, which is used as a smooth muscle stimulant to increase blood pressure, and to increase muscle contractions in the uterus and intestine. For centuries, mistletoe also served as a folk medicine treatment for cancer , and the plant is currently used in Europe to treat tumors. It is also used to cause abortions. It is also toxic as well according to some medical uses. In parts of South Asia, they are frequently used as an external medicine. Its medicinal active agents are Phoratoxin which has effects include blurred vision, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting (Swan, et al, 2022).
Because there is no historical record of Phoradendron leucarpum subsp. macrophyllum, we are using the materia medica record of the Viscum album, the European variation of the plant. Phoradendron leucarpum is also a mistletoe but is the variation that is found only in the Americas. Although they are found in different regions of the world, there are many similarities particularly in their appearance and medicinal uses. In the historical record of the Viscum album there is a green plant that is primarily made up of long skinny stems that have short and narrow leaves attached at the end of each branch. There are fruits on the end of some branches that are small, circular and appear to be of a darker shade such as blue or green (Forest Pathology, 2022).
Last but not least, observing Rhipsalis tetragone (epiphyte) in the UCLA Botanical Garden gave us another perspective on characteristics of parasitic plants. Rhipsalis tetragone (epiphyte) was located under the warm and dry environment. It was grown on Metrosideros kermadecensis, the supporting tree. There were multiple characteristics that we have observed. The stem of Rhipsalis tetragone (epiphyte) is very thin and straight, has a uniform bright green color, and is very lightweight. This unique branching pattern helps support the Rhipsalis tetragona and may be useful for food storage.
In conclusion, we can see the Rhipsalis tetragone (epiphyte) and Phoradendron leucarpum subsp. Macrophyllum share some similarities such as the detail about their leaves since they are both parasitic plants. Generally about parasitic plants, it was shown that it has medical properties on treatments for some common illnesses like increased blood pressure, increased muscle contractions in the uterus and intestine, or even treatment for cancer or being toxic
WORKS CITED
Swain, Liz and Rebecca Frey. 2018. "Mistletoe." Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Encyclopedia.com. https://www.encyclopedia.com/medicine/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/mistletoe
“True Mistletoes: Phoradendron and Viscum.” Forest Pathology. https://forestpathology.org/parasitic-plants/true-mistletoes
CCH2 portal detailed collection record information. 2022. https://www.cch2.org/portal/collections/individual/index.php?occid=5217089&clid=0