Alepis is a monotypic genus of hemiparasitic mistletoe in the family Loranthaceae (order Santalales), endemic to New Zealand and represented by the single species Alepis flavida. First described by Joseph Dalton Hooker in 1852 as Loranthus flavidus, it was transferred to its own genus by Philippe Édouard Léon Van Tieghem in 1894.
The plant is a shrub growing up to 2 metres across, with leathery, opposite leaves 2–6 cm long that are narrow, dull green, thick and fleshy with a matt surface and distinctive red, rough-textured margins. Veins are visible on the lower leaf surface, and the leaf tips are deciduous. The flowers are small, with orange-yellow to yellow tepals that reflex fully open, displaying tall orange anthers. Flowering occurs from December to February. The fruit are small (4–5 mm), shiny, translucent oval berries that ripen to yellow or gold, dispersed by frugivorous birds.
Alepis flavida is a mistletoe that parasitises native New Zealand trees — most commonly mountain beech and black beech, but recorded on at least 13 indigenous host species. It attaches via disc-like structures and grows in the outer branches of its host. In the North Island it is dispersed by bellbirds (Anthornis melanura) and has never been common there. Similar native mistletoes include Peraxilla colensoi and P. tetrapetala, which differ in having red flowers, rounder leaves without red margins, different attachment structures, and a preference for growing on trunks rather than outer branches.
Distribution
Alepis is endemic to New Zealand, occurring on both the North Island and South Island. It has never been common in the North Island. Its host trees are exclusively indigenous New Zealand species, most frequently mountain beech and black beech.
Ecology
Alepis flavida is a hemiparasitic mistletoe that grows in the outer branches of its host trees, attaching via disc-like structures. Its primary hosts are mountain beech and black beech (Nothofagaceae), though it has been recorded on at least 13 indigenous New Zealand tree species. In the North Island, dispersal is by bellbirds (Anthornis melanura). Flowering occurs from December to February, with fruiting from January onward. The fleshy, translucent berries are dispersed by frugivorous birds.
Conservation
Alepis flavida is classified as "At Risk – Declining" under the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS), with the qualifier indicating more than 10,000 mature individuals but an expected population decline of 10–70% and an area of occupancy under 10,000 hectares also expected to decline. Key threats include introduced animal pests (particularly possums), fire, illegal collection, destruction of habitat and host trees, vegetation succession, and fungal diseases.
Taxonomy
Alepis is a monotypic, endemic New Zealand genus in the family Loranthaceae. The sole species was first described by Joseph Dalton Hooker in 1852 as Loranthus flavidus. In 1894, Philippe Édouard Léon Van Tieghem transferred it to the new genus Alepis, giving the accepted name Alepis flavida (Hook.f.) Tiegh. Synonyms include Elytranthe flavida (Hook.f.) Engl. The chromosome number is 2n = 24. The species epithet flavida means "pale yellow", referring to the flower colour. Similar taxa are Peraxilla colensoi and P. tetrapetala, which differ in flower colour (red), leaf shape (rounder, no red margins), attachment structures, and growth position (trunks vs. outer branches).
