Common Name: Bee sting bush, Mistletoe. Tamil Name: Ancirikacceti, Anji
Bee sting bush is seen near deciduous forest edges in Tamilnadu and grows to a height of about 1.5 meters. The entire plant is covered with stiff spines, hence often deployed as a hedge plant. The young branches are green in color and branches arch downwards. The plant is covered with axillary spines; each node generally has four such spines (measuring about 1.8 cm). The leaf stalk measure around 3 mm; the leaf length measure around 3.4 cm; the leaf tip ends in s sharp small spine. The leaves are obovate with an acute apex and cuneate base. The inflorescence is in the form of an axillary spike. The flowers are very tiny, unisexual, the calyx measure around 1 mm. The flower has four petal segments which are cream colored. The fruit is in the form of a berry which turn transparent white when fully ripe. The fruit contains one or two seeds. Bee sting bush is the larval host plant for Chestnut-streaked sailer butterfly (source: www.ifoundbutterflies.org). The plant has extensive application in Ayurvedic system of medicine. Used in the treatment of snake bite and post pregnancy related problems. Mistletoe bush are almost impenetrable and is an excellent live-hedge choice.
