Juniper mistletoe, Phoradendron juniperinum (39119739342)

Description:

Summary[edit] Description: juniper mistletoe, Phoradendron juniperinum, California, White Mountains, Black Mountain, Owens Valley drainage, elevation 2379 m (7805 ft), parasitic on Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma). Because they produce some chlorophyll, mistletoes are technically stem hemi-parasites. Juniper mistletoe is common on various native juniper species throughout the southwestern United States and parts of northern Mexico, mostly in arid interior regions. Unlike the typical "holiday" mistletoe, the leaves of juniper mistletoe are reduced to small scales on the stems. One could argue whether this is an adaptation to reducing water loss in the arid regions it inhabits, or to being less conspicuous against its host plant. Maybe it's some of both. Birds are thought to play the major role in dispersing mistletoe fruits and seeds between trees. Date: 18 June 2016, 19:22. Source: juniper mistletoe, Phoradendron juniperinum. Author: Jim Morefield from Nevada, USA. Camera location37° 16′ 38.82″ N, 118° 11′ 05.17″ W View all coordinates using: OpenStreetMap 37.277450; -118.184770.