Several Phoradendron species occur, and though white-berried and closely related to the European Viscum species, they tend to look very different. The plants are much bushier, without the distinctive leaves and branching pattern of Viscum. The berries are smaller, and much less attractive

The differing species on each side of the Atlantic can sometimes cause confusion, and the properties of one species is sometimes attributed to the other. It is important to understand that the medicinal properties of mistletoe are derived from the European species. The American Phoradendron species can be highly toxic and should never be used in the same way as Viscum album.

They are all species of Arceuthobium - a genus with many species in North America - but also a few other places in the world. There is one species in Europe.

The plants have reduced scale-like leaves, and are almost holo-parasitic (most mistletoes are only hemi-parasitic).

The species shown below left is Arceuthobium americanum, pictured in British Columbia, Canada. This species only grows on one host - Pinus contorta.

The map below shows the mistletoe's distribution - which exactly reflects that of the host. It is a much easier distribution to explain than that of Viscum album in Britain!

There is considerable scientific and forestry literature on Dwarf Mistletoes.

"Dwarf Mistletoes: Biology, Pathology, and Systematics" is US Agricultural Handbook 709.

It provides a good overview of Dwarf Mistletoe issues, and though out of print it is available online, or to download, at www.rmrs.nau.edu/publications/ah_709/

On the left is Viscum triflorum, a species similar to European mistletoe. This grows on many hosts that is distributed throughout the east side of Africa.

This specimen is growing on Sonneratia alba, a mangrove tree of the East African coast.

Below it is Viscum minimum, a less recognisable species with much reduced leaves and stems, parasitic on fleshy Euphorbia species.

Only tiny shoots, flowers and berries are visible outside the host stem.

It grows in a few localities in the Cape Province of South Africa.

So for now I'll just recommend Roger Polhill and Delbert Wiens' book (pictured left).

Published by Kew Gardens in 1998, the book covers the biology and phytogeography of all the African species and describes several hundred species, in both the Viscaceae and Loranthaceae.

The cover picture shows the flowers of the loranth Spragueanella rhamnifolia.

The picture below is another African Loranth Agelanthus sansibarensis
.

This is Nuytsia floribunda, the 'Western Australian Christmas Tree'. Though it appears to grow independently, it is a mistletoe, but it parasitises host roots instead of host branches.

The species can be grown from seed where there are suitable hosts nearby. It is named because it flowers spectacularly in mid-summer - Christmas in Australia.