Pineland Dwarf Mistletoe
Arceuthobium vaginatum
- Native to:
- Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, United States
Paul Harrison
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Santalaceae
- Genus:
- Arceuthobium
- Species:
- Arceuthobium vaginatum
- USDA Symbol:
- ARVA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 15 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, green
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Dasypyga alternosquamella, Thicket Hairstreak (Mitoura spinetorum)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Notes:
- Host pines are fire-adapted, but the dwarf mistletoe itself is killed by fire; reinfection occurs from surviving infected branches or nearby trees.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- nutrient-poor, well-drained sandy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- parasitic plant often found on pine trees
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Notes:
- Seeds are explosively dispersed and germinate on host pine bark; germination requires contact with host tissue and occurs within weeks of dispersal.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI