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American/Oak Mistletoe
Phorandendron serotinum
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Archive Index}
photo ©Betty Wargo
Identifiers- parasitic evergreen shrub, small clusters
of flowers in branch joints, fruit; white drupes
Adaptations- seed distributed by
birds, plant grows on
oak branches (except Live Oak)
Status- found throughout the state
Distribution- Florida, Texas, north to southeast Kansas and
New Jersey
Habitat- hardwood hammocks
Fun facts
- "phor" "dendron" is Greek for Thief Tree
- "mistle toe" ancient Anglo-Saxon words for dung and twig, after the
observation that plants sprouted from bird droppings
- widely used for wreaths and "kissing" door ornaments during Christmas
- folklore from Scandinavian and Druid legends
- ethnobotanical uses include medicinal and emetic teas and topical
preparations for muscle stimulation
- chemical compounds being researched for smooth muscle problems,
hypertension, and cancer
- CAUTION: all plant parts are POISONOUS, some species extract toxic
compounds from their host plants
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