The Scientific Name of the American Mistletoe Plant

Scientific Names and Synonyms

• According to the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, the scientific name of the oak, or American, mistletoe is Phoradendron leucarpum. However, the American mistletoe has also been referred to as Phoradendron eatonii, Phoradendron flavescens, Phoradendron macrotomum, Phoradendron serotinum, Phoradendron flavescens var. orsiculata, Phoradendron serotinum var. macrotomum and Viscum flavescens.

Etymology and Taxonomy

• The genus name of the American mistletoe, Phoradendron, essentially means "thief of the tree" in Greek, referring to the mistletoe's semi-parasitic nature. Including Phoradendron, there are five genera of mistletoe within the Christmas mistletoe family, Viseaceae, that are found in the United States. Within all of these genera, there are 62 species and subspecies. Within the genus Phoradendron, there are 24 species and two subspecies.

Growing Range

• The American mistletoe's growing range extends from New York to Florida and west to New Mexico, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois. The American mistletoe grows primarily in the tops of hardwood trees where it can receive some sunlight. This makes this plant particularly easy to spot in winter when deciduous hosts are leafless.

American Dwarf Mistletoe

• The American dwarf mistletoe and American mistletoe are separate species whose similar common names may cause confusion. The American dwarf mistletoe is known scientifically as Arceuthobium americanum. While the American mistletoe is found in the eastern United States, the American dwarf mistletoe grows in western states. Its range in the U.S. extends from California north to Washington and Colorado up to Montana, covering USDA zones 4 through 9.