About Osyris alba L.
Osyris alba L. is a hemiparasitic (semiparasitic), broom-like shrub that grows to a height of 30 to 150 cm (12 to 59 inches). Its stem is woody, colored brown or dark green, and sometimes grows creeping along the ground. This species produces many longitudinally striated branches, which are green when young. Its leaves are linear, lanceolate, leathery (coriaceous), and typically persistent, though they may be deciduous in some cases. Leaves measure approximately 15 to 35 mm (0.59 to 1.38 inches) long and 1 to 5 mm (0.039 to 0.197 inches) wide. The leaves grow in during winter, and are almost entirely absent from the plant during summer. Flowers of Osyris alba can be hermaphroditic or unisexual. When unisexual, male and female flowers differ in traits connected to pollination timing. The flowers are very small, at only 1 to 2 mm across, with four yellow-green tepals and four stamens. The flowering period runs from March to June. The fruits are small red fleshy drupes, 4 to 6 mm (0.16 to 0.24 inches) in diameter. The roots of this species produce haustoria that grow into the roots of nearby plants to draw out sap from the host plants. This species is widespread across every country in the Mediterranean basin, ranging from Portugal to Turkey. It also grows in western Asia, and in North Africa from Morocco through Tunisia to Libya.
