Sustainable utilization of woodrose-producing mistletoes (loranthaceae) inSouth Africa

Pedistylis galpinii and Erianthemum dregei produce woodrose outgrowths at a ttachment points with host trees. In some rural areas of southern Africa, w oodroses are sold as curies. The socio-economics related to woodrose harves ters were investigated via interview schedules and field survey. Harvesting is nor detrimental to hosts as only branches infected with mistletoes are cut. Over half the harvesters interviewed reported harvesting both live and dead mistletoes while 20% used only dead ones. The density of dead mistlet oes could satisfy present demand Such sustainable harvesting practices (onl y using dead woodroses) allow for woodrose harvesting according to calculat ed quotas. The median gross income per month generated from woodroses was e stimated to be between US $38 and 90. Eleven percent of harvesters relied o n woodroses as their only source of income. Marketing was relatively haphaz ard, involving informal selling at roadsides and unscheduled visits to reta ilers. The market for woodroses can be expanded and the potential exists to increase supply considerably on a sustainable basis.