The genus Dendrophthoe comprises about 31 species spread across tropical Africa, Asia, and Australia.

[2] It grows as shrubby plant, with either a spreading or pendent (drooping) habit, from a tree branch or trunk.

[1] Flowering is followed by the development of an egg-shaped fruit 1–1.5 cm (0.39–0.59 in) long and red to yellow in colour, which contains a single seed in a sticky coating.

[4] The similar-looking smooth-flowered mistletoe (D. glabrescens) has smooth flowers and leaves broader than 3 cm (1 in) in width, and is found west of the Great Dividing Range.

[4] The seed immediately begins to germinate and soon penetrates the vascular system of the tree and creates a physiological connection with the Xylem of the new host.