Population Characteristics of Mistletoe (Viscum coloratum) in Wandashan Mountain

Population characteristics of mistletoe in seven types of host trees of six communities in Laopinggang forest farm were studied from April to November 2012. Results showed that: As a whole,the ultimate distribution pattern of mistletoe was determined by the host trees. However,the distribution pattern of mistletoe on individual host trees was aggregated. In terms of quantitative characteristics,the numbers of mistletoe in host trees was Populus davidiana >Betula platyphylla >Alnus sibirica >B. dahurica >Tilia amurensis var. tricuspidata=Acer tegmentosum>A. mono,and the mean number of fruit in a mistletoe was P. davidiana >B. platyphylla >A. sibirica >A. tegmentosum >T. amurensis var. tricuspidata >A. mono >B. dahurica. Red fruit and yellow fruit mistletoe were found on the same host species and the ratio of these two types was one to one. Genetically,the seeds of mistletoe showed excess propagation and their dispersal process had a close relationship with Bombycilla garrulus. Among these seeds,82% were found on fallen leaves,15% on shrubs and 3% on the trunk of host trees. It was concluded that the distribution pattern of host trees,composition and development degree of communities,living habit of seed dispersers and reproductive strategy of mistletoe itself played major roles in the development of the population.