Douglas-Fir Dwarf Mistletoe
Arceuthobium douglasii
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
Jeffrey J. Witcosky
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Santalaceae
- Genus:
- Arceuthobium
- Species:
- Arceuthobium douglasii
- USDA Symbol:
- ARDO
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 10 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, brown
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
⚠️Johnson's hairstreak (Mitoura johnsoni)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Notes:
- Dwarf mistletoe infections are killed by fire, but host tree survival allows reinfection from adjacent trees. Fire historically limited spread.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- parasitic on Douglas fir and other conifers
Propagation & Germination
- Notes:
- Seeds are explosively discharged and must contact Douglas-fir bark to germinate. Seed germination occurs on host tissue only.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI