Native mistletoe find near Tauranga

A threatened native green mistletoe has been found near Tauranga on an Oropi farm.

It is the only known population of the species Lleostylus micranthus in the Tauranga area and is the first of its type recorded nationally as hosting on mangaeo.

Department of Conservation and Environment Bay of Plenty officers have inspected at least nine live mistletoe plants growing on two large mangaeo trees.

Aluminium bands have been placed around the host trees to prevent possums browsing the mistletoe.

DoC spokeswoman Michelle Elborn said staff were keen to hear from other landowners in the western Bay of Plenty who thought they might have native mistletoe on their properties.