There may actually be some mutualistic interactions between the parasite and the host in some "Phoradendron" species. The presence of "Phoradendron juniperinum" on host "Juniperus" "monosperma," for example, has been suggested to increase dispersal of the host's seeds by birds. The mistletoe berries may attract frugivorous birds (e.g. thrushes) to eat the host juniper's seeds and disperse them. The net benefit on the hosts is difficult to quantify, however. The birds dispersing the host's seeds and benefiting the host, while at the same time dispersing the mistletoe's seeds and spreading the "Phoradendron" infection.