| Phoradendron juniperinum | |
|---|---|
| juniper mistletoe in host tree | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Core eudicots |
| Order: | Santalales |
| Family: | Santalaceae |
| Genus: | Phoradendron |
| Species: | P. juniperinum |
| Binomial name | |
| Phoradendron juniperinum Engelm. ex A.Gray |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Phoradendron ligatum |
|
Phoradendron juniperinum is a species of flowering plant in the sandalwood family known by the common name juniper mistletoe. It is native to the southwestern United States from Oregon to Texas and the northern states of Mexico, where it grows in various types of woodland habitat.
This mistletoe parasitizes species of juniper, including Utah (Juniperus osteosperma), Rocky Mountain (J. scopulorum), and western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis).[1]
It is a shrub producing many erect and spreading yellow-green branches 20 to 40 centimeters long from a woody base where it attaches to its host tree, tapping the xylem for water and nutrients. It is hemiparasitic, meaning it contains some chlorophyll and can photosynthesize some energy for itself as well. The smooth, noded branches have flattened, scale-like leaves. The plant is dioecious, with male and female individuals producing different forms of inflorescence with knobby flower clusters. Female flowers yield shiny light pink spherical berries each about 4 millimeters wide.
Birds eat the fruits and excrete the undigested seeds on tree branches, where they root.[1] Several Native American tribes used this mistletoe for medicinal purposes, for teas, and at times for food.[2]