Psittacanthus brasiliensis has pendulous branches, which are circular in cross-section.[5] The leaves are opposite and petiolate, with the leaf base being acute and the apex obtuse.[5] The position of the inflorescence is terminal and forms an umbel of triads on peduncles.[5] Their colour is red and they have a straight style[5]
Psittacanthus brasiliensis was first described by Desrousseaux in 1792 as Loranthus brasiliensis,[6][7] and in 1834, Don assigned it to the new genus Psittacanthus.[1][2]
Etymology
Psittacanthos comes from the Greek psittakos (parrot), and the Greek anthos (flower), possibly chosen, according to Don,[2] because of the bright colours. The specific epithet, brasiliensis, is the Latin for of Brazil (genitive singular case).[8]
