Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Santalaceae

Genus:

Arceuthobium

Species:

Arceuthobium abietinum

USDA Symbol:

ARAB4

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Shrub , Subshrub

Height:

15 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

apr,may,jun

Bloom Colors:

yellow, green

Wildlife Benefits

Caterpillars:

★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Notes:

As an obligate parasite on fir trees, fire typically kills both host and parasite; may recolonize from adjacent unburned stands.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

nutrient-poor, well-drained rocky soil

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

parasitic on conifer hosts, not soil-dependent

Propagation & Germination

Notes:

Seeds are explosively discharged and require contact with host tree branches; germination occurs only on susceptible Abies species.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI