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western spruce dwarf mistletoe
Scientific Name: Arceuthobium microcarpum
Family: Viscaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Subshrub, Shrub
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Western Spruce Dwarf Mistletoe
The Western Spruce Dwarf Mistletoe, scientifically known as Arceuthobium microcarpum, is a parasitic flowering plant primarily affecting spruce trees in the western United States. It is also referred to as just "Western Spruce Mistletoe" or "Dwarf Mistletoe".
Considerations for Pets and Children
- Dwarf mistletoes are mentioned as growing on stems.
- The plant produces shoots that are 2.5 inches long.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Arceuthobium microcarpum
- Family: Viscaceae
- Synonyms: Arceuthobium campylopodum (as an accepted name)
- Subspecies: Arceuthobium microcarpum subsp. aristatae
- Related Species: Arceuthobium americanum (Lodgepole Pine Dwarf Mistletoe), Arceuthobium tsugense (Hemlock Dwarf Mistletoe), Arceuthobium pusillum (Eastern Dwarf Mistletoe), Arceuthobium laricis (Western Larch Dwarf Mistletoe), Arceuthobium vaginatum (Sheathed/Southwestern Dwarf Mistletoe)
Distribution and Habitat
- Primarily found in Arizona and New Mexico.
- Common in the western United States, including areas of Idaho, western Colorado, Washington, and Oregon.
- Frequently infests mountain forests where Engelmann spruce and blue spruce are present.
Ecological Role
- Parasitic flowering plant that infects conifers.
- Can cause significant mortality in spruce stands, with heavily infested stands experiencing two to five times greater mortality than healthy stands.
- Its presence can lead to changes in forest composition, such as spruce replacing lodgepole pine.
- Often co-occurs with other mistletoes like Phorodendron juniperinum in pion-juniper woodlands.
- Vulnerability to dwarf mistletoe is considered an important factor in forest health assessments.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Parasitic plant growing on stems of conifers.
- Produces "witches' brooms" on infected trees, which are a characteristic symptom of infection.
- Shoots can be yellow to olive-green (2.5 inches).
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Host-specific, primarily infecting spruce trees.
- Impacted by spruce bark beetles and western spruce budworm, which can exacerbate the effects of mistletoe infection.
- Green spruce aphid feeding occurs in late.