Oak Mistletoe

Oak Mistletoe Care

Phoradendron Leucarpum

What is the plant

Phoradendron leucarpum is a species of mistletoe which is native to the United States and Mexico. Its common names include American mistletoe, eastern mistletoe, hairy mistletoe or oak mistletoe. It is native to Mexico and most parts of the continental United States. It is hemiparasitic, living in the branches of trees. The berries are white and 3-6 millimeters (0. 12-0. 24 in). It has opposite leaves that are leathery and thick. Ingesting the berries can cause "stomach and intestinal irritation with diarrhea, lowered blood pressure, and slow pulse". This shrub can grow to 1 meter (3. 3 ft) by 1 meter (3. 3 ft). 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.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Hardiness zone

5 - 9

Difficulty

Easy

Hibernation

Cold Period

Toxicity

Poisonous

How to Care for the Plant

Water
This semiparasitic plant gains its water and much of its mineral nutrients from the host tree. No additional watering will be required.
Pruning
Pruning back mistletoe balls will help to ensure they do not become too heavy and too much for the branches of the trees they are inhabiting. If an unwanted mistletoe ball appears on a tree in your garden, you will have to cut it right back to the roots and then cover the remainders with black plastic to kill it off permanently.
Sunlight
American mistletoe plants can cope with shady environments, but they do best in a sunny or semi-shade position. This is because they gain additional nutrition from the process of photosynthesis.

Disease diagnosis

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Soil
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
Temperature
This leafy mistletoe variety needs temperate conditions to survive. Regions that experience harsh, sub-freezing temperatures or exceptionally dry conditions are not going to be suitable for growing this plant. In the wild, they tend to be found in low-lying ground zones that are fairly humid.
Additional
While Native Americans used this mistletoe species to treat a variety of ailments, the leaves, berries, and stems are all toxic when ingested. They contain a compound called phoratoxin and consuming large quantities could have a serious impact, for children or pets.Some people can also have a dermatitis skin reaction to the plant, so it may need to be harvested using gloves.