Larch Dwarf Mistletoe
Arceuthobium campylopodum subsp. laricis
- Native to:
- United States
GBIF: Tyler Brett
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Santalaceae
- Genus:
- Arceuthobium
- Species:
- Arceuthobium campylopodum subsp. laricis
- USDA Symbol:
- ARLA11
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 10 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, green
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Thicket Hairstreak (Mitoura spinetorum)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Notes:
- As an obligate parasite on larch, plant survival depends on host tree fire response rather than its own fire adaptations.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- nutrient-poor, well-drained sandy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- parasitic on Larix species; soil conditions less critical
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Notes:
- Seeds are explosively discharged and adhere to host bark; germination occurs directly on host tissue with no soil contact required.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI