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Phoradendron leucarpum - (Raf.)Reveal.&M.C.Johnst.

Common Name False Mistletoe, Oak mistletoe
Family Viscaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards There are recorded cases of the berries poisoning people[213]. Contact with the plant can cause dermatitis in some people[222].
Habitats A parasite growing on deciduous trees, especially Acer rubrum and Nyssa spp[235].
Range N. America - New Jersey to Florida, west to Illinois and Texas.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Phoradendron leucarpum False Mistletoe, Oak mistletoe


USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 1
Phoradendron leucarpum False Mistletoe, Oak mistletoe
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:American_Mistletoe_%28NGM_XXXI_p514%29.jpg

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Phoradendron leucarpum is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in leaf all year, in flower from February to April, and the seeds ripen from November to December. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

P. flavescens. (Pursh.)Nutt.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Abortifacient  Contraceptive  Oxytoxic

A tea made from the leaves is said to procure abortions and also to prevent conception[213]. It causes an increase in uterine contractions and helps to stop bleeding after parturition[213]. When injected into the blood it increases blood pressure[213].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A parasitic plant, growing on the branches of several deciduous species of trees. It has a wide range of hosts, though it is usually only found on one species in any given area[200]. The host tree must be at least 20 years old[200]. This species is seldom cultivated since it can severely weaken its host[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

This is a parasitic plant that grows entirely on the host tree. To grow it you need to obtain berries and squash them onto the branches of host trees in late autumn and early winter[11]. This is best done on the lower side of the branch[1]. It is then simply a matter of waiting and hoping.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Missouri, Nebraska, Illinois, Oklahoma, Oregon, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, California, Nevada), Mexico (Baja, Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Durango, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Michoacán de Ocampo, Querétaro)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Raf.)Reveal.&M.C.Johnst.

Botanical References

200235

Links / References

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Subject : Phoradendron leucarpum  
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