Parasitism, which is a common interaction between organisms in nature, has been increasingly brought into sharp focus and studied because of interesting questions regarding physiology, ecology and evolution. To elucidate crucial functional characteristics of reproductive ecology in Scurrula parasitica var. graciliflora (Loranthaceae), we focused on the investigation of flowering phenology, breeding system, seed germination characteristics and parasitic relationship establishment. The results showed that the flowering peak occurred between mid-late April and late May. There was no significant difference in pollen viability (>90%) between closed corolla tubes and 24-h open corolla tubes (P > 0.05), but the pollen viability (≤ 70%) in 48-h open corolla tubes was remarkably lower than that of the aforementioned tubes (P < 0.05). The stigma receptivity during corolla tube closure was significantly higher than during corolla tube dehiscence (P < 0.05). The fruit set rates of the flowers suffering from spontaneous pollination (i.e., control group), of the flowers bagged at the bud stage, and of the flowers treated by hand cross-pollination were 82.5%, 83.1%, and 33.8%, respectively. As expected, emasculation resulted in fruit-set failure. Ripened seeds were highly sensitive to desiccation, and severe dehydration significantly lowered germination percentages. Additionally, viable seeds that germinated well at 25℃ and 30/20℃, presenting obvious temperature preference. However, germination did not depend on light conditions. Seeds of this species were desiccation-sensitive, and serious water loss via drying significantly affected germination (P < 0.05). Yet 6.25% of the successful parasitism rate for the seeds was obtained in the axil close to the stem tip in the osmanthus saplings, other treatments were aborted for the seeds that were inoculated on stems, and leaves of both sweet-scented osmanthus trees (Osmanthus fragrans) and peach trees (Prunus persica). In conclusion, the study revealed that the breeding system of S. parasitica var. graciliflora is prior selfing and the germination temperature preference of desiccation-sensitive seeds, and that light was not a prerequisite for seed germination. Also, the data on parasitism suggested that the location where the seeds were attached was a core factor influencing parasitic linkage of seedlings with hosts for this parasitic species.