Arceuthobium minutissimum explained

Arceuthobium minutissimum, known as the Indian dwarf mistletoe^[1] or Himalayan dwarf mistletoe, is a leafless parasitic plant of Pinus wallichiana. It is considered the smallest known dicotyledonous plant.^[2]

Description

Individual shoots grow to a height of 5 millimeters, and up to 1 centimeter with mature fruit. Shoots emerge from both the cortex and needles of the host plant. Flowers are monoecious, and seed dispersal occurs in September.^[3]

Distribution and host species

The species occurs in dry forests of the Himalayan mountains at an approximate altitude of 2500–3500 meters.^{[3] [4]} It has been reported in Nepal, India, Bhutan, and Pakistan. A. minutissimum infects the crowns of trees of all ages. It severely impacts the health of host-trees, and causes the loss of needles. Although P. wallichiana is the primary host, it has been recorded to infect Pinus gerardiana in Pakistan. Unconfirmed reports show that it may also infect Abies pindrow and Cedrus deodara.^[3]

It has been considered that there is potential for A. minutissimum to become an invasive species in Europe.^[5]

See also

• Smallest organisms

Notes and References

1. Bhandari . N. N. . Nanda . Kanan . The Endophytic System of Arceuthobium minutissimum, the Indian Dwarf Mistletoe . Annals of Botany . 1 June 1970 . 34 . 3 . 517–525 . 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aob.a084387 . 16 April 2022 . 0305-7364.
2. Datta . R. M. . Occurrence of a Hermaphrodite Flower in Arceuthobium minutissimum Hook. f., the Smallest Known Dicotyledonous Plant . Nature . February 1951 . 167 . 4240 . 203–204 . 10.1038/167203a0 . 14806428 . 1951Natur.167..203D . 4181798 . 16 April 2022 . en . 1476-4687.
3. Book: Hawksworth . Frank G. . Wiens . Delbert . Dwarf Mistletoes . April 1998 . DIANE Publishing . 978-0-7881-4201-7 . 264–265 . 16 April 2022 . en.
4. Web site: Arceuthobium minutissimum (Himalayan dwarf mistletoe) . www.cabi.org . 16 April 2022.
5. Vannini . A. . Cecca . D. . Monaci . L. . Anselmi . N. . Main tree pathogens of western Himalayan forests in Nepal: description and risk of introduction . EPPO Bulletin . September 1995 . 25 . 3 . 455–461 . 10.1111/j.1365-2338.1995.tb00579.x . 16 April 2022 . en . 0250-8052.