Loranthaceae includes semiparasitic
plants which are commonly known as
mistletoes. All over the world they cause
more economic loss than any other angiospermic
parasites. They mostly attack
dicotyledons and gymnosperms which
include horticultural plants as well as forest
trees. The effects of parasites on the hosts
are manifold, such as, reduction of vigour
and growth rates, poor fruit and seed
production, formation of burrs on the trunk
or branches, reduction in foliage, drying
of top, predisposition to insect and other
disease attacks ultimately causing premature
death. In tropical and sub-tropical
forests, mistletoe infection sometimes causes
heavy damages to many forest trees.