Texas Wildbuds
Phoradendron leucarpum
(American Mistletoe)
Phoradendron leucarpum, Lake Brownwood State Park, Brown Co. 6550-1
Phoradendron leucarpum, Lake Brownwood State Park, Brown Co. 6550-2
Phoradendron leucarpum, Lake Brownwood State Park, Brown Co. 6550-3
Phoradendron leucarpum, Lake Brownwood State Park, Brown Co. 6553
| Scientific Name | Phoradendron leucarpum (Phoradendron tomentosum, Phoradendron serotinum, etc.) | USDA PLANTS Symbol | PHLE14 |
| Common Name | American Mistletoe, Oak Mistletoe | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 895617 |
| Family | Santalaceae (Sandalwood) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Parasite found on many species of trees. Plant: Hemi-parasitic evergreen woody perennial bush, somewhat rounded, up to 40 inches across, sometimes more, attached to host tree branches; stems from woody base are ascending to spreading or hanging. Leaves: Leathery green leaves, obovate-elliptic to round, 5/8 to nearly 2 inches long and 3/8 to 1-1/8 inches wide; rounded or obtuse tips; short, velvety pubescent hairs, especially on young growth. Inflorescence: Dioecious (flower sexes on separate plants); 1 or 2 upright, unisexual spikes per leaf axil each with 3 to 5 segments; staminate (male) and pistillate (female) spikes are similar, up to 1-1/8-inch long, with several to many tiny flowers; each staminate spike with 25 to 35 flowers, each with a calyx with 3 broadly triangular, dull greenish-yellow segments with 3 or 4 stamens inside with light yellow anthers; each pistillate spike with 6 to 15 flowers, each with a calyx with 3 broadly triangular, greenish yellow (aging orangish/reddish) flowers with 1 pistil and ovary inside, no stamens. Bloom Period: November to March. Fruit: Small, round, white berries, about 3/16-inch across. References: Jepson eFlora, Vascular Plants of Williamson County by A.C. Gibson, Backyard Nature and Flora of North America; and P. tomentosum in "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2026
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