Phoradendron coryae facts for kids

Phoradendron coryae, also known as Cory's mistletoe or oak mistletoe, is a special type of plant. It is called a hemiparasitic plant. This means it gets some of its food and water from another plant, but it can also make some of its own food using sunlight. You can find this plant growing in the southwestern parts of the United States and northern Mexico.

Discovering Cory's Mistletoe

Cory's mistletoe is a fascinating plant that lives by attaching itself to other plants. It's not a full parasite because it can still do some photosynthesis, which is how plants make their own food using sunlight. Think of it like a houseguest who helps with chores but still relies on the host for a place to stay!

Where Cory's Mistletoe Grows

This interesting plant is native to a specific region. You can find Cory's mistletoe in several states in the southwestern United States. These include Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. It also grows south of the border in northern Mexico, in areas like Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Sonora.

What Cory's Mistletoe Looks Like

Cory's mistletoe has some unique features that help you identify it.

• Leaves: Its leaves are larger than those of many other mistletoes in the same area. They can grow up to 3 centimeters (about 1.2 inches) long. Both the leaves and the flowers have tiny hairs on them, making them feel a bit fuzzy.
• Flowers: The flowers are also covered in short, soft hairs.
• Berries: After the flowers, the plant produces small, white berries. These berries also have short hairs around a part called the perianth, which is like the outer part of the flower that stays on the berry.

Host Plants: Where It Attaches

Cory's mistletoe usually grows on oak trees. These trees belong to the Quercus family. However, it can also be found growing on other types of plants. These include Condalia, Berberis, Vaquelinia, and Sideroxylon. It uses these "host" plants to get some of the water and nutrients it needs to survive.