Establishment and early growth ofAlepis flavidain relation toNothofagus solandribranch size

Abstract
Hand planted seeds of the mistletoe Alepis flavida establish much better on small Nothofagus solandri branches (Alepis flavida seedlings occurred on branches 0.5–6 mm diameter (mean = 1.9 mm). There was no significant difference in original branch size between tagged mistletoe seedlings that died and those that lived, but Alepis flavida shoot extension was positively correlated with host branch diameter increment. These data suggest the early establishment and survival of Alepis flavida seedlings is strongly dependent on the size and vigour of the branch on which the seed has been deposited.