C. Martincordero et al., BIPIPERIDYL AND QUINOLIZIDINE ALKALOIDS IN FRUITS OF VISCUM-CRUCIATUMHEMIPARASITIC ON RETAMA-SPHAEROCARPA, Journal of chemical ecology, 23(8), 1997, pp. 1913-1916
Fruits (berries) of Viscum cruciatum accumulate bipiperidyl (ammodendr
ine) and quinolizidine (retamine and lupanine) alkaloids. Viscum obtai
ns the alkaloids by root parasitism on the host plant Retama sphaeroca
rpa. The presence of these alkaloids in the fruits of Viscum cruciatum
may represent some competitive disadvantage to mistletoe itself becau
se the seeds may not be so well dispersed by blackcaps (Sylvia atricap
illa).