Mistletoe Phoradendron leucarpum Play pronunciation

American Mistletoe is an evergreen shrub, a member of the sandlewood family, that is native to the central and eastern United States. It is a hemiparasitic epiphyte meaning that it relies on another plant (typically residing on the branches of maple and oak trees) for support, water, and nutrients, but makes its own food through photosynthesis. This clumping shrub will mature to about 3 feet high and wide with greenish branches, leathery leaves, and inconspicuous flowers. It is common to the coast and Piedmont of North Carolina, but somewhat rare in the mountains. The genus name comes from the Greek phor "a thief," and "dendron" "tree," referring to the plant obtaining  nourishment from the tree on which it grows.

American Mistletoe grows best in full sun to partial shade (such as found under the forest canopy). It does not require soil as it grows on the high branches of host trees. The plant produces white berries with sticky pulp. These berries are eaten by birds and the seeds are later deposited on hardwood trees where the sticky pulp adheres to the host and the seed eventually sprouts.

This parasitic species can weaken its host and would be seldom cultivated except that it is often used to replace the European variety of mistletoe (Viscum album) as the mistletoe hung at Christmastime.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pests.