Nestronia

Nestronia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Santalaceae, commonly known as sandalwood family. It consists of parasitic shrubs native to eastern North America and eastern Asia.

Characteristics: Nestronia species are hemiparasitic, meaning they derive some of their nutrients from a host plant through specialized structures called haustoria, but they also perform photosynthesis. They are woody shrubs with small, inconspicuous flowers. The leaves are generally alternate and simple. Fruits are typically drupes.

Distribution: As noted above, the genus has a disjunct distribution, occurring in eastern North America (specifically the southeastern United States) and eastern Asia (including China and Japan). This type of distribution pattern is of interest to biogeographers.

Ecology: Nestronia species are associated with a variety of host plants, depending on the specific species and geographic location. Their parasitic nature influences the structure and dynamics of the plant communities in which they occur.

Taxonomy: The classification of Nestronia within the Santalaceae has been subject to some revision. The number of species recognized within the genus may vary depending on the taxonomic authority. Historically, Nestronia umbellulifera (now reclassified) was the most commonly recognized species.