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Mistletoe Phoradendron leucarpum

Previously known as:

  • Phoradendron flavescens
  • Phoradendron serotinum
Phonetic Spelling
for-ah-DEN-dron lew-KARP-um
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Evergreen shrub with greenish branches, semiparasitic on tree limbs; leaves opposite, simple, oblong, leathery; flowers inconspicuous; fruit a white berry

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#poisonous#NC native#pollinator plant#larval host plant#parasitic#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#great purple hairstreak butterfly#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#poisonous#NC native#pollinator plant#larval host plant#parasitic#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#great purple hairstreak butterfly#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Phoradendron
    Species:
    leucarpum
    Family:
    Santalaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central & Eastern U.S.A. to Mexico
    Distribution:
    Throughout
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant supports Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus) larvae which have one brood from April-June appear as early as January in Florida.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    White
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Insignificant
    Flower Description:
    Inconspicuous flowers
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. Stomach and intestinal irritation with diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, lowered blood pressure, and slow pulse.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Amine, toxalbumin, pharatoxin viscumin (Lectins, Phoratoxins)
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits