Christmas Mistletoe
Phoradendron leucarpum
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Santalaceae
- Genus:
- Phoradendron
- Species:
- Phoradendron leucarpum
- USDA Symbol:
- PHTO2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- oct,nov,dec
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Carmenta tecta, mistletoe borer (Carmenta phoradendri), Sicya morsicaria, Sicya pergilvaria, Sicya snoviaria, Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Notes:
- As a hemiparasitic epiphyte, fire response depends on host tree survival.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, nutrient-rich loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- commonly found on host trees in wooded areas
Propagation & Germination
- Notes:
- Seeds require bird dispersal and germinate on host tree bark; cannot germinate in soil.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI