Mistletoes are plants of the genus Viscum from the sandalwood family..Santalaceae. Mistletoes ..like sandalwoods..are semi-parasitic, epiphytic shrubs that sel

Mistletoes are plants of the genus Viscum from the sandalwood family..Santalaceae. Mistletoes ..like sandalwoods..are semi-parasitic, epiphytic shrubs that select trees as hosts. One of my current projects is preparing the crop planning for sandalwood plantations. Santalum Album or Indian sandalwood is the best cultivar and has the most valuable sandalwood heartwood. It takes about 15 years to get a good heartwood and sapwood ratio as well as the best quality for the best oil distillation. It has to follow a very strict crop and host planting rotation. Many host plants of different lifespans have to be selected as the first two years are most crucial for its parasitic inputs. There is much we don’t know about this family.