Australian Christmas tree

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Australian Christmas tree

plant

Also known as: Nuytsia floribunda, moodjar

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

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Also called:: moodjar

Related Topics:: parasitic plant

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Australian Christmas tree, (Nuytsia floribunda), parasitic tree of one of the mistletoe families (Loranthaceae), native to western Australia. The tree may grow to 10 metres (33 feet) or more and produces many yellow-orange flowers during the Christmas season. Its dry fruits have three broad leathery wings.

The Australian Christmas tree forms connections (haustoria) to the roots of small plants, such as grasses, through which it obtains water and nutrients. These connections may damage underground cables by forming constricting rings around them. New Christmas trees may sprout from roots at some distance from the original plant.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Meg Matthias.