Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
mistletoe
References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
Oak mistletoe European mistletoe Conifer parasite Mistletoe harvest Mistletoe Mistletoe bouquet
Quizzes
Venus's-flytrap. Venus's-flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) one of the best known of the meat-eating plants. Carnivorous plant, Venus flytrap, Venus fly trap
Plants: From Cute to Carnivorous
Related Questions
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
Oak mistletoe
Oak mistletoe Numerous oak, or Eastern, mistletoe plants (Phoradendron serotinum) heavily parasitizing an oak tree (Quercus species).

mistletoe

plant
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
Last updated
•History

mistletoe, any of many species of parasitic plants, several of which are associated with Christmas for their green foliage and attractive fruits. Mistletoes are found in the families Loranthaceae, Misodendraceae, and Santalaceae, the latter containing the well-known members in the genera Viscum, Phoradendron, and Arceuthobium. Most mistletoes are able to parasitize a variety of hosts, and some species even parasitize other mistletoes, which in turn are parasitic on a host. They are usually evergreen and...

Discover the world with Britannica

Subscribe to Continue Reading

Free Trial | No Ads | Exclusive Content
Explore Subscriptions
DNA
Right
Mobile