Scientific Name: Phoradendron californicum
?Native parasitic plant
?Mistletoe berries are the main source of food for the Phainopepla (Silky Flycatcher)
?Phainopepla and Northern Cardinal may build their nest in Mistletoe.
?Seeds are very sticky and are deposited on other host plant when the birds wipe their bills on other plants or mute
?Host plants are usually mesquite, but occasionally woody legumes or creosote bush
?This is a parasitic plant species; it takes on nutrients and water from a host plant, but photosynthesizes on its own
?Sometimes a large infestation of mistletoe can kill the host plant, but this is rare
?The Seri and O?odham eat the berries, the Seri make a medicinal tea from the stems

Photo: Taken at Brown's Ranch on October 26, 2007. For more photos, click on camera icon.

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