Arceuthobium laricis
larch dwarf mistletoe
Santalaceae (Christmas Mistletoe family)
(Previously in Viscaceae)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Ryan Batten     (Photo ID #52799)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Arceuthobium laricis
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend

Introduction

Larch dwarf mistletoe was added to the BC flora in 2010. It is found in North America in a handful of US states (WA, OR, ID, MT) and in British Columbia. Overall distribution generally follows that of western larch (Larix occidentalis), and in BC it is found east of the Cascade Mountains (Hawksworth et al. 1998 ). This is a parasitic species which is found primarily on western larch, but it is also found on mountain hemlock. (Tsuga mertensiana). Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) is a secondary host. Hawksworth et al. (1998) indicate that fruits usually mature in September, although this can range from August through to October.

References

Hawksworth, Frank G., Rebecca G. Nisley, Brian W. Geils, and Delbert Wiens. 1998. Dwarf Mistletoes: Biology, Pathology and Systematics. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.