Mistletoe white berries that it bears in clusters of two to six. The Eastern mistletoe of North America is similar, but has shorter, broader leaves and longer clusters of 10 or more berries. The word 'mistletoe' derives from the older form 'mistle' adding the Old English word "tān" (twig). 'Mistle' is common Germanic (Old High German "mistil", Middle High German "mistel", Old English "mistel", Old Norse "mistil"). Further etymology is uncertain, but may be related to the Germanic base for 'mash'. Parasitism has evolved at least 12 times among the vascular plants . Molecular data show the mistletoe habit has evolved
Phoradendron densum centimeter wide. It is dioecious, with male and female plants producing different forms of inflorescence with round, knoblike flowers. The female flowers yield spherical berries each about 4 millimeters wide and yellowish or pale pink when ripe. Phoradendron densum Phoradendron densum Trel. is a species of flowering plant in the sandalwood family known by the common name dense mistletoe. It is native to the western United States and northwestern Mexico, where it grows in various types of woodland habitat. It has been reported from California, Oregon, Arizona and Baja California. This mistletoe parasitizes species of cypress, including Arizona cypress ("Cupressus