Mistletoe, Ball moss, Spanish moss, and Lichens in Trees Mark C. Black, Extension Plant Pathologist, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Uvalde Biological interactions Neutralism - fitness of one species has no effect • on fitness of other (unlikely!) Commensalism – epiphyte benefited, tree neither • benefited or harmed Mutualism (symbiosis)- species derive a mutual • benefit Parasitism - one organism takes from the host for • a long time Hemiparasitism - takes water and nutrients from • the host, but is photosynthetic and makes some products Competition – one species limits space, sunlight • Mistletoe Class Magnoliopsida • Family Viscaceae, 2 genera in Texas • Diversity Trans Pecos > Edwards Plateau > • rest of Texas Arceuthobium (dwarf-mistletoe) • Phoradendron (mistletoe) Phoradendron tomentosum, injerto, • Christmas mistletoe Mistletoe relatives Commandra • umbellata, bastard toadflax Euonymus americanus, • brook euonymus Control? Plant Epiphytes Autotrophic • Derive only physical support, not • nutrition from the host May damage the host • Attach to their host high in the • canopy Large epiphytes occur most • abundantly in moist tropical forests, but mosses and lichens occur widespread as epiphytes with trees. Costa Rica Ball Moss Class Liliopsida • Family Bromeliaceae, 2 genera in Texas • Diversity S, E Texas > N Texas • Hechtia (false agave) • Tillandsia (ballmoss, spanish moss) Tillandsia baileyi, Bailey ballmoss • Tillandsia recurvata, small ballmoss Close relatives Tillandsia baileyi • Gulf Prairies and Marshes South Texas Plains Control?