Our native mistletoe grows throughout the state but is more common in low lying ground that is prone to have high humidity. It will invade any number of deciduous tree species but is most common on elms. Oaks, especially the upland species, are seldom mistletoe victims. Mistletoe grows in balls the size of a bushel basket and can reach up to 90 pounds in weight. It has male and female plants with only the female plants producing the familiar pea sized white berries.
Flowers appear in late summer with the berries present over winter.
The berries are considered poisonous but a large quantity would have to be consumed to cause any significant ill effect. Certainly they should be kept out of children's reach. The pulp of the berry is a sticky mass that adheres to the feet and feathers of birds as they feed. Once the seed is deposited on a branch it will germinate in spring if moisture conditions are right. The root tip, instead of growing into the ground, forms an attachment point called a haustorium which functions as an umbilical cord with the host tree.