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western dwarf mistletoe
Scientific Name: Arceuthobium campylopodum
Family: Viscaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Subshrub, Shrub
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Dwarf Mistletoe: A Forest Parasite
Dwarf mistletoes (Arceuthobium spp.) are parasitic flowering plants impacting western forest ecosystems in North America. They are known to cause economically important diseases in conifers. These plants are significantly smaller than the American mistletoe.
Considerations for Pets and Children
- Dwarf mistletoe grows on stems and branches of trees.
Scientific Classification and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Arceuthobium spp.
- Family: Viscaceae
- Note: The text mentions several species and subspecies including:
- Arceuthobium microcarpum (Western spruce dwarf mistletoe)
- Arceuthobium tsugense Rosendahl G.N. Jones Subsp. tsugense (Western Hemlock Dwarf Mistletoe)
- Arceuthobium campylopodum Engelm. (Western Dwarf Mistletoe)
Distribution and Habitat
- Primarily found in western forest ecosystems of North America.
- Specific regions mentioned include:
- Colorado (five species found in forests)
- Wyoming and southeastern Idaho
- Certain areas along the western edge of Idaho
- British Columbia (distribution of Arceuthobium campylopdum is unknown, but it occurs in natural ponderosa pine)
- Western hemlock dwarf mistletoe primarily occurs in coastal hemlock stands.
Ecological Role
- Dwarf mistletoes are parasitic, causing significant damage to trees.
- They are considered serious forest-borne disease agents.
- They reduce seed production of host trees.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Dwarf mistletoes are parasitic flowering plants that grow on stems and branches of conifers.
- Infection can cause large witches' brooms on Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, western larch, and hemlock.
- They live by taking water and nutrients from other plants.
- They are highly host-specific, typically having one or two primary host species.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- They infect conifers, including Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, western larch, and hemlock.
- Western redcedar, yellow cedar, western yew, and juniper are mentioned in relation to dwarf mistletoe, but the nature of this interaction is unclear in the provided text.
Resources and Further Information
- USDA Plants Database: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=arca3