Muellerina flexialabastra (Loranthaceae): a new species of mistletoe from south-eastern Australia

Abstract

A new species of mistletoe, Muellerina flexialabastra Downey & C.A. Wilson (Loranthaceae), from south-eastern Australia is described. The description of this new species is based on morphological and nuclear DNA sequence differences between it and the other four species of the genus: Muellerina celastroides, M. eucalyptoides, M. bidwillii and M. myrtifolia. Several morphological attributes that separate this new species from its relatives: (i) the shape of the corolla, (ii) the direction flowers open in relation to the floral triad axis, (iii) the shape of the flower umbel, (iv) leaf size, (v) location of epicortical runners and (vi) the host species. In addition, nuclear DNA analysis revealed 11 unique nucleotide base changes in this new species supporting its species status.