The members of Loranthaceae, generally
known as mistletoes, are semiparasitic
shrubs (rarely erect terristrial as Nuytsia
in Australia) growing on the host with the
help of modified roots. They cause more
economic loss than members of any other
parasitic family of angiosperms. They mostly
attack dicotyledons and gymnosperms which
include forest trees, horticultural plants
and plants of aesthetic value. The effects
of parasites on the hosts are manifold.
The hosts are subjected to reduction of
vigour, growth rates, poor fruit and seed
production, formation of burrs on truck 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 creates havoc
and damages large number of forest trees. In
Bangladesh many of the important forest
trees like Teak (Tectona grandis Linn.),