This species was first recognized as a distinct genus by Danser. Unfortunately, Danser followed Sprague who believed it was closely related to an east African species then known as Loranthus panganensis Engl. Danser included the two species in his genus Emelianthe, naming E. panganensis (Engl.) Danser as the type. Pressed specimens of these species show simi­larities in size and form but the resemblance is super­ficial. In fact, field studies show that the species have little in common beyond the actinomorphic corolla and the overall size of the flower and they are not closely related.