Phoradendron leucarpum
- 1 min read
- 3 chapters
Explore on Lably
ToursExplore Lably’s 3D toursCulture and tradition
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.
Phoradendron leucarpum is the state floral emblem for the state of Oklahoma. The state did not have an official flower, leaving mistletoe as the assumed state flower until the Oklahoma Rose was designated as such in 2004.
Sign in to keep reading
2 more chapters are free with a Lably account.
Ecology
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).
Wildlife
While the sticky substance covering the fruits is toxic to humans, it is a favorite of some birds.

