Mistletoe (Viscum nepalense Spreng.) Infestation in Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia Roxb.): Ecological Implications and Conservation Concerns in Protected Forests of Southern India

Extensive field surveys in Karnataka’s Bhadra Tiger Reserve and Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary documented a severe infestation of Dalbergia latifolia (Indian rosewood) by the hemiparasitic mistletoe Viscum nepalense. D. latifolia, a slow-growing and high-value timber species, exhibited reduced flowering, fruiting, and regeneration under parasitic pressure, with severe infestations causing branch dieback and host mortality. Since birds serve as the main agents of seed dispersal, there is growing concern that the mistletoe could spread more rapidly under shifting climatic conditions. Considering the ecological significance and commercial value of rosewood, unchecked infestations pose a serious threat to biodiversity, forest composition, and the long-term availability of high-quality timber. These observations emphasise the pressing need for regular monitoring, stakeholder awareness, and coordinated management interventions to curb the impact of Viscum nepalense on tropical forest ecosystems.