Phoradendron leucarpum subsp. tomentosum
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Viscaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Phoradendron leucarpum subsp. tomentosum is a native California perennial in the Viscaceae family, recognized by gray-green dull leaves, typically on oaks.
Mistletoe is a native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern California Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, Central Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, southern Coast Ranges, southern California, Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges, and Mojave Desert at elevations of 60 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces pale green to white flowers in small clusters. Growing with stems typically reaching 80 centimeters long, it develops a distinctive grayish-green, dull foliage with leaves up to 3 centimeters long and 2 centimeters wide. Its compact, branching structure allows it to grow as a parasitic plant on host tree branches. The plant forms dense, rounded clusters that attach directly to tree limbs, creating characteristic globe-like growths in woodland and forest environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; gray-green dull leaves, typically on oaks
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally on
Elevation: 60-2100 m
California counties: Kern, Fresno, San Bernardino, Marin, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, San Benito, Riverside, Butte, Los Angeles, Tulare, Santa Barbara, Mariposa, Ventura, Monterey, Sierra, San Diego, Imperial, Tehama, El Dorado, Amador, Madera, Napa, Yolo, Colusa, Sonoma, Nevada, Yuba, Lake, Sutter, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Orange
Outside California: to northern Oregon, Texas, Mexico
Bloom period
Phoradendron leucarpum subsp. tomentosum blooms Jul-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Viscum: Phoradendron has smaller leaves (<47mm) and berries (3-6mm); Viscum has thick waxy leaves (50-80mm) and large berries (6-10mm).; vs Arceuthobium: Phoradendron has obvious oval leaves and grows >8 inches; Arceuthobium has tiny scales and stays <8 inches on conifers.; vs Eriogonum: Phoradendron grows as leafy mistletoe up in trees; Eriogonum is a ground-level shrub or herb with flower clusters.; vs Quercus: Phoradendron is the leafy parasite growing on the oak; Quercus is the host tree with acorns.; vs Euphorbia: Phoradendron grows as mistletoe in tree canopy; Euphorbia grows at ground level with milky sap when broken.
Frequently asked questions
Is Phoradendron leucarpum subsp. tomentosum native to California?
Yes. Phoradendron leucarpum subsp. tomentosum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Phoradendron leucarpum subsp. tomentosum bloom?
Phoradendron leucarpum subsp. tomentosum blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Phoradendron leucarpum subsp. tomentosum grow?
Phoradendron leucarpum subsp. tomentosum occurs in Kern, Fresno, San Bernardino, Marin, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, San Benito and other counties, at elevations of 60-2100 m.
What plant family does Phoradendron leucarpum subsp. tomentosum belong to?
Phoradendron leucarpum subsp. tomentosum is in the Viscaceae family, genus Phoradendron.
What habitat does Phoradendron leucarpum subsp. tomentosum grow in?
Phoradendron leucarpum subsp. tomentosum grows in Generally on.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Phoradendron sp. — Mistletoe
- Phoradendron bolleanum — Bollean mistletoe
- Phoradendron californicum — Desert mistletoe
- Phoradendron juniperinum — Juniper or incense cedar mistletoe
- Phoradendron leucarpum — American mistletoe
- Phoradendron leucarpum subsp. macrophyllum
- Viscaceae sp. — Mistletoe family
- Viscum album — European mistletoe
- Viscum sp. — Mistletoe
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.