Juniper Mistletoe

Appearance

It is a shrub producing many erect and spreading yellow-green branches 20 to 40 centimeters long from a woody base where it attaches to its host tree, tapping the xylem for water and nutrients. It is hemiparasitic, meaning it contains some chlorophyll and can photosynthesize some energy for itself as well. The smooth, noded branches have flattened, scale-like leaves. The plant is dioecious, with male and female individuals producing different forms of inflorescence with knobby flower clusters. Female flowers yield shiny light pink spherical berries each about 4 millimeters wide.

Behavior

This mistletoe parasitizes species of juniper.

Reproduction

Birds eat the fruits and excrete the undigested seeds on tree branches, where they root.

Uses

Several Native American tribes used this mistletoe for medicinal purposes, for teas, and at times for food.
Among the Zuni people, an infusion of whole plant is used for stomachaches. A compound infusion of plant taken to promote muscular relaxation at birth, and a simple or compound infusion of twigs taken after childbirth to stop blood flow.