Phoradendron sp.
Mistletoe, Mistletoe
(c) Michelle W. （鍾偉瑋）, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michelle W. （鍾偉瑋） · licence
Family: Viscaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Phoradendron sp. (Mistletoe) is a native California perennial in the Viscaceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
Yes. Phoradendron sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Phoradendron sp. belong to?
Phoradendron sp. is in the Viscaceae family, genus Phoradendron.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Phoradendron bolleanum — Bollean mistletoe
- Phoradendron californicum — Desert mistletoe
- Phoradendron juniperinum — Juniper or incense cedar mistletoe
- Phoradendron leucarpum — American mistletoe
- Phoradendron leucarpum subsp. macrophyllum
- Phoradendron leucarpum subsp. tomentosum
- Viscaceae sp. — Mistletoe family
- Viscum album — European mistletoe
- Viscum sp. — Mistletoe
- Arceuthobium americanum — Lodgepole-pine dwarf 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.