Arceuthobium sp.
Dwarf mistletoe, Dwarf Mistletoe
Family: Viscaceae · Type: Perennial · Variable; species dependent
Arceuthobium sp. (Dwarf mistletoe) is a non-native California perennial in the Viscaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Phoradendron: Arceuthobium is tiny (<8 inches) with scale-leaves on conifers; Phoradendron has obvious oval leaves >8 inches on oaks/shrubs.; vs Pseudotsuga: Arceuthobium grows as yellowish parasite clusters on branches; Pseudotsuga is the green-needled host tree itself.; vs Pinus: Arceuthobium is the yellowish parasitic clump on the pine; Pinus is the host tree with needles in bundles.; vs Viscum: Arceuthobium is scale-leaved dwarf mistletoe on conifers; Viscum has thick fleshy leaves on broadleaf trees.
Frequently asked questions
Is Arceuthobium sp. native to California?
No. Arceuthobium sp. is not native to California (recorded as variable; species dependent).
What plant family does Arceuthobium sp. belong to?
Arceuthobium sp. is in the Viscaceae family, genus Arceuthobium.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Arceuthobium americanum — Lodgepole-pine dwarf mistletoe
- Arceuthobium campylopodum — Western dwarf mistletoe
- Arceuthobium douglasii — Douglas-fir dwarf mistletoe
- Phoradendron bolleanum — Bollean mistletoe
- Phoradendron californicum — Desert mistletoe
- Phoradendron juniperinum — Juniper or incense cedar mistletoe
- Phoradendron leucarpum — American mistletoe
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.