Viscaceae: Mistletoe Family

Pine / Dwarf Mistletoe – Arceuthobium littorum

Blooms:

July–Nov

Plant Height:

Stems 10–20 cm

Flower Size:

Very small

Origin:

Native

Habitat:

Coastal, parasitic on pines

Notes:

This mistletoe is found only on pines.  Unlike Pacific / Oak Mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum, see below), it is wholly parasitic, using specially modified roots called haustoria to draw water and nutrients from its host plant.  Although Jepson combines this species with two others under Arceuthobium campylodum, more recent literature suggests that differences in form and host plants justify keeping the three species separate.  This species is found only near the coast, on Monterey and Bishop Pines (Pinus radiata & muricata).

Pacific / Oak Mistletoe – Phoradendron leucarpum subsp. tomentosum

Blooms:

July–Sept

Plant Height:

Stems < 80 cm

Flower Size:

Very small

Origin:

Native

Habitat:

Parasitic on oaks and other plants

Notes:

Unlike Pine Mistletoe (Arceuthobium littorum, see above), this is only partially parasitic.  While it obtains some water and nutrients from its host plant, it can also photosynthesize with its greenish leaves.  Leaves are elliptic to roundish, 15–30 mm long.  Its flowers are in short, cylindrical yellow spikes.  Despite its common name, this is found on a variety of plants as well as oaks, including California Bay Laurel (Umbellularia californica), Chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum) and manzanitas (Arctostaphylos sp.).