Oak Mistletoe
Phoradendron villosum
(P. coryae)
This mistletoe was found growing from the branches of Shrub Live Oak in the Wickenburg Mountains, Yavapai Co., Arizona, USA. Dec. 2010.
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SHRUB: Parasitic shrub up to 80 cm tall with a root system (hausteria)
extending directly into the branches and twigs of host.
LEAVES: The olive-green leaves are coated with minute hairs and are
thick and leathery. Elyptic and quite thick with smooth margins.
RANGE: Hosts for this mistletoe are mostly various oak species, especially Quercus
turbinella and Quercus arizonica. Together with these trees,
distributed on sites not directly in creek beds and also well onto open
semi-arid woodlands and chaparral. Recent taxonomic work is splitting the
Pacific and interior oak mistletoes into separate species.
FLOWERS: Clumps of very small flowers from the leaf axils.
FRUIT: Berries become white with a rosy cast on maturity.
Viscaceae -- Mistletoe Family
More Information:
- Jepson Manual
- USDA Plant Profile
- ITIS Taxonomic Report
- Google Images
- Google Scholar Literature Search