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Classification

 

Scientific Name: Phoradendron leucarpum

Common Name: American (Oak) Mistletoe

 

Aptly named for its hemi-parasitic nature, Phoradendron actually means "thief of the tree," in Greek.  The common name, mistletoe, comes from two parts of Anglo-Saxon speech which aren't quite as sinister.  "mistel" a common word for dung, and "tan" the word for twig, combine to form the word mistletoe; or "dung on a twig."  This name became prevalent as it was noticed that mistletoe would appear where many birds had left droppings.

 

 

If you had to guess how the American Mistletoe was classified, you might say, "Its a plant!" or maybe if you were a science teacher, "Its within the phylum Magnoliophyta!"  Whoever you are, the complete taxonomy of Phoradendron leucarpum below can help you learn a little more.

 

Taxonomy

Domain- Eukarya: American mistletoe is in the domain Eukarya because it is multi-cellular, has a nucleus, and is autotrophic. 

 

Kingdom- Plantae: It has cell walls made of cellulose and is                   photosynthetic.

 

Phylum- Magnoliophyta: It is a Flowering plant.

 

Class- Magnoliopsida: It is a Dicotyledon.

 

Order- Santalales:  Hemi-parasitic.

 

Family- Viscaceae: Christmas mistletoe family.

 

Genus- Phoradendron Nutt. : mistletoe.

 

Species- Phoradendron Leucarpum: American (Oak) Mistletoe

 

Phylogenetic Trees

 

The phylogenetic tree below shows where Phoradendron leucarpum fits within the grand scheme of life on Earth.  It starts from the Domain (Eukaryote) and moves down to the Class (Magnoliopsida). 

 

    

The phylogenetic tree below shows a more in-depth and more species-specific map of where Phoradendron leucarpum fits into its classification.  It moves from the Order (Santales) to the species (Phoradendron leucarpum).

 

To learn more about the Interactions

 of the American Mistletoe, click here!