Loranthus europaeus (Loranthaceae) in Ukraine: an overview of distribution patterns and hosts

Abstract

Updated information on geographic distribution patterns and hosts of Loranthus europaeus in Ukraine is presented as a list of known localities and a schematic map based on data of field observations, herbarium collections, and literature sources. The field study areas with eight localities directly surveyed by the authors included: Chernivtsi Region (Hertsayivs'ky and Kelmenets'ky districts), Zakarpattia (Transcarpathian) Region (Rakhivs'kyi District) and Khmelnyts'kyi Region (Kamianets-Podils'ky District) of Ukraine. In Ukraine L. europaeus has been recorded since the 19th century. In total, it was reported from ca. 30 localities in Ukraine, mostly in the southwestern regions of the country at the northeastern limits of the Eastern European part of its range. The records from Kyiv Region and Crimea remain questionable. Within its range in Ukraine, L. europaeus parasitizes Quercus species as its primary hosts. In our opinion, this mistletoe species is not expected to become a noxious pest causing considerable damage for the Ukrainian forests, unlike the European mistletoe, Viscum album. Moreover, L. europaeus is recommended for special protection in Khmelnyts'kyi Region and is included in the list of regionally rare plants of administrative units of Ukraine.

Keywords

• distribution
• hosts
• loranthus
• mistletoe
• quercus
• range
• stem hemiparasite