Arceuthobium douglasii

Douglas-fir dwarf mistletoe, Douglas-Fir Dwarf Mistletoe

Family: Viscaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Douglas-fir dwarf mistletoe is a native parasitic perennial found in the Klamath Ranges and high Cascade Range in mixed-conifer woodland at elevations of 1,500 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to June, this diminutive plant produces inconspicuous flowers typical of mistletoe. Growing extremely small with green stems less than 2 centimeters long and approximately 1 millimeter wide at the base, it is a specialized parasite of conifer trees. Its stems are almost threadlike, with secondary branches being quite rare. Seeds mature from September to October, allowing the plant to spread and continue its unique parasitic lifestyle.

Habitat: Uncommon. Mixed-conifer woodland, on

Bloom period: May-Jun

Elevation: 1500-2000 m

Bioregions: KR, CaRH

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.