Psittacanthus cordatus initially grows upward and then becomes pendulous, with the shape of its stems being circular.[4] The leaves are opposite, with the base of the leaf
being obtuse to cordate, and the apex, acute.[4] The position of the racemose inflorescence is both axillary and terminal.[4]
The flowers form groups of three (triads) on a stem, and are red to yellow.[4] The style is straight.[4]
Psittacanthus cordatus was first described by Hoffmansegg in 1829 as Loranthus cordatus,[5][6] and in 1834, Don assigned it to the new genus Psittacanthus.[1][7] There is some confusion with respect to the accepted name: Plants of the World online[3] and Flora do Brasil[4] give the accepted name as Psittacanthus cordatus (Hoffmans.) G.Don, while GBIF[8] gives the accepted name as Psittacanthus cordatus Blume.
Etymology
Psittacanthus comes from the Greek psittakos (parrot), and the Greek anthos (flower), chosen according to Don,[9] possibly because of the bright colours. Cordatus is the Latin for cordate or heart-shaped[10]
