Species of mistletoe found in north

A native breed of mistletoe has unusually been found in the North Island.

The yellow mistletoe (alepis flavida), thought to be extinct in Greater Wellington, was recently found on the banks of the Kaiwhata River in eastern Wairarapa, the same area where it was last seen in 1947.

The discovery was made by Greater Wellington biosecurity officer Harvey Phillips, during a routine pest plant inspection on a property in the isolated Ngahape Valley.

A specimen of the yellow mistletoe will soon be stored at the Te Papa herbarium in Wellington so interested people would be able to see it for themselves.

Although rare in the North Island, the mistletoe was common in areas of the South Island, Mr Phillips said.

- NZPA