Desert Mistletoe

Carried by 0 nurseries

Estimated plant range Estimated plant range

Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Plant description

Phoradendron californicum, the desert mistletoe or mesquite mistletoe, is a hemiparasitic plant native to southern California, Nevada, Arizona, Sonora, Sinaloa and Baja California. It can be found in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts at elevations of up to 1400 m (4600 feet). The mistletoe is a leafless plant that attaches to host plants, often leguminous woody desert trees such as Cercidium and Prosopis. Desert mistletoe takes water and minerals from its host plants but it does its own photosynthesis, making it a hemiparasite.

Plant overview

Plant type

Shrub

Natural setting

Plant communities

Creosote Bush Scrub

Wildlife supported

Caterpillars

Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

1 confirmed and 3 likely

Confirmed Likely

See all

Great Purple Hairstreak

Atlides halesus

Sicya morsicaria

Sicya pergilvaria

Tacoma feriella

Alternative names

Common names:

California Mesquite Mistletoe, Mistletoe, Mesquite Mistletoe

Sources

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