As if the Albany thicket is not impenetrable enough, some mistletoe parasites growing on a variety of host trees add to the density with robust branching, often not matched by their hosts.

Viscum obscurum adds to the décor here in the Addo, bringing welcome dietary variety to the game, including eland, elephant and kudu that browse the leaves and stems. Fruit-eating birds consume the fleshy fruit and disperse the seeds (Moriarty, 1997; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iSpot).