Phoradendron Species, California Mesquite Mistletoe, Desert Mistletoe

Phoradendroncalifornicum

Genus
Phoradendron (for-uh-DEN-dron)
Species
californicum (kal-ih-FOR-nik-um)
Synonym
Phoradendron californicum var. distans
Phoradendron californicum var. leucocarpum
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Green
Bloom Time
Late Winter/Early Spring
Mid Spring
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Shrubs
Parasites and Hemiparasites
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
Seed Collecting
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Ajo, Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona

Salome, Arizona

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Gardener's Notes:

1
positive
2
neutrals
0
negative
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R
Santa Fe, NM | April 2008 | positive

I saw Desert Mistletoe berries in Grapevine Canyon, Nevada. This was around the end of March 2008. It is certainly an interesting plant t...Read More

X
Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9b) | November 2006 | neutral

I've seen this growing in the wild on the 'El Camino Del Diablo Trail' (Devils' Highway) that runs between Ajo and Wellton in Arizona thr...Read More

L
Ithaca, NY (Zone 5b) | March 2005 | neutral

Partial parasite, occuring mostly on leguminous trees. Desert Mistletoe is capable of photosynthesizing, but roots also invade bark of ho...Read More

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