Phoradendron leucarpum
| Phoradendron leucarpum | |
|---|---|
| File:American Mistletoe (NGM XXXI p514).jpg | |
| Phoradendron leucarpum[1] | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Santalales |
| Family: | Santalaceae |
| Genus: | Phoradendron |
| Species: | P. leucarpum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Phoradendron leucarpum | |
| File:PhoradendronleucocarpumOccurrenceMap2.png | |
| Occurrence data from GBIF | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
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Phoradendron leucarpum is a species of mistletoe in the Viscaceae family. Its common names include American mistletoe, eastern mistletoe, hairy mistletoe and oak mistletoe. It is native to Mexico and the continental United States.[3] It is hemiparasitic, living in the branches of trees. The berries are white and 3–6 millimeters (0.12–0.24 in).[4][5] It has opposite leaves that are leathery and thick. [6] Ingesting the berries can cause "stomach and intestinal irritation with diarrhea, lowered blood pressure, and slow pulse".[4][7] This shrub can grow to 1 meter (3.3 ft) by 1 meter (3.3 ft).[7]
Culture and tradition
[edit | edit source]Phoradendron leucarpum is used in North America as a surrogate for the similar European mistletoe Viscum album, in Christmas decoration and associated traditions (such as "kissing under the mistletoe"), as well as in rituals by modern druids. It is commercially harvested and sold for those purposes.[8]
Phoradendron leucarpum is the floral emblem for the state of Oklahoma. The state had no official flower, leaving mistletoe as the assumed state flower until the Oklahoma Rose was so designated in 2004.[9]
Ecology
[edit | edit source]Over 60 species of trees are hosts to P. leucarpum, especially trees in the genera of Acer (maple), Fraxinus (ash), Juglans (walnuts), Nyssa, Platanus (plane trees), Populus (poplars), Quercus (oaks), Salix (willows), and Ulmus (elms).[2]
Wildlife
[edit | edit source]While the sticky substance covering the fruits is toxic to humans, it is a favorite of some birds.[10]
See also
[edit | edit source]- Phoradendron villosum (Pacific mistletoe, western mistletoe)
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ illustration by Mary E. Eaton, "Our State Flowers: The Floral Emblems Chosen by the Commonwealths", The National Geographic Magazine, XXXI (June 1917), p. 514.
- ^ a b eflora North America; Phoradendron leucarpum Retrieved 24 May 2018.
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