About Phoradendron leucarpum (Raf.) Reveal & M.C.Johnst.
Phoradendron leucarpum (Raf.) Reveal & M.C.Johnst. is a species of mistletoe in the Viscaceae family. Its common names are American mistletoe, eastern mistletoe, hairy mistletoe and oak mistletoe. It is native to Mexico and the continental United States. This plant is a hemiparasitic shrub that grows on tree branches, reaching an ultimate size of up to 1 meter by 1 meter (3.3 feet by 3.3 feet). It has thick, leathery leaves arranged in opposite pairs, and produces white berries measuring 3–6 millimeters (0.12–0.24 inches) in diameter. Ingesting its berries can cause stomach and intestinal irritation accompanied by diarrhea, lowered blood pressure, and slow pulse. Over 60 species of trees act as hosts for Phoradendron leucarpum; it is most commonly found on trees from the genera Acer (maple), Fraxinus (ash), Juglans (walnuts), Nyssa, Platanus (plane trees), Populus (poplars), Quercus (oaks), Salix (willows), and Ulmus (elms).
