Page authors: Don Knoke, David Giblin
Arceuthobium americanum
lodgepole pine dwarf mistletoe
Specimens
Photos

Distribution: Occurring chiefly east of the Cascades rest in Washington; southern British Columbia to California, east to the Rocky Mountains.

Habitat: Parasitic on Pinus, usually on Pinus contorta.

Flowers: April- June

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Description:
General:

Small, glabrous, monoecious shrubs parasitic on the branches of pines, the stems yellow-green, 2-6 cm. long, tufted, the segments 1-2 mm. thick, and 7-15 times as long as thick; assecessory branches whorled.

Leaves:

Leaves none, reduced to small, opposite scales.

Flowers:

Staminate flowers 2 mm. broad, borne on short, lateral stems, 2-several per node, the buds ovoid, the perianth lobes all rounded on the back; pistillate flowers short-pedicillate, 2-several, whorled at each node; perianth parts 2, erect; style lacking; stigma 1.

Fruits:

Berry maturing the second summer, 3 mm. long, 1-seeded, the seed ultimately explosively expelled and tending to stick to the surface on which it lands.

Accepted Name:
Arceuthobium americanum Nutt. ex Engelm.
Publication: Boston J. Nat. Hist. vi. 1850.

Synonyms & Misapplications:
(none provided)
Additional Resources:

PNW Herbaria: Specimen records of Arceuthobium americanum in the Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria database.

WA Flora Checklist: Arceuthobium americanum checklist entry.

OregonFlora: Arceuthobium americanum information.

E-Flora BC: Arceuthobium americanum atlas page.

CalPhotos: Arceuthobium americanum photos.

USDA Plants: Arceuthobium americanum information.

15 photographs:
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