Viscaceae
Description
Leafy to squamate plants. Lacking epicortical roots, implanted by means of primary haustoria only, these often expanding by means of endophytic strands. Stems often (but inconspicuously) articulated at nodes, brittle. Leaves decussate. Monoecious or dioecious. Flowers sunken in inflorescence axis, unisexual, 2-4-merous, at least female without aborted organs of opposite sex; male flower with perianth segments around small central disk or prominence; anthers isomorphic, sessile, with 1, 2, or numerous locules. Fruit a 1-seeded berry. (x = 10, 11, 12, 13, 14).
Distribution
Guianas present, New World present, Old World present, tropical and/or temperate present
A rather large family of 7 genera, tropical and/or temperate, all genera except Arceuthobium (restricted to the Northern Hemisphere) being limited to either the Old World or the New World; 34 species in 2 genera in the Guianas.