Distribution of Mistletoe

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Distribution of Mistletoe

• Clinton Kaufman
• Fall 2003
• Bellarmine University Biology Department

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What is Mistletoe?
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True Mistletoe Overview

• Parasitic flowering plants with characteristic
  round clumps of growth that are easily visible on
  the host plant
• These clumps can be measured up to two feet or
  more in diameter

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Spread of Mistletoe

• The female plants produce a one-seeded berry
• Birds feed on the berries in the winter when food
  sources are low
• The pulp of the berry is digested by the bird
• Birds then disseminate the seeds in three
  different ways
• -Wipe them off while preening
• -Regurgitate them
• -Excrete them after Feeding

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Infection

• After the seed germinates, it grows through the
  bark into the trees water-conducting tissue
• Haustoria begin to develop
• The Haustoria gradually extend up and down the
  host branch
• The Mistletoe then begins to use the host plant
  for water, carbohydrates and other nutrients

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Cycle of Mistletoe
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Research

• Where in Louisville does Mistletoe grow?
• How many clumps are on the tree and what kind of
  tree is it?

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Methods

• I traveled around Louisville and mapped out where
  there were areas with 10 or more trees with
  mistletoe
• I also made a mental note of where I traveled and
  saw no mistletoe
• In four different areas, I identified the trees
  and counted the clumps of mistletoe present

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Joe Creason Park
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Anchorage
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Moser Farm Rd
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Falls Creek
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Most Abundant Tree
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Average Number of Clumps Per Tree

• Joe Creason12.4375 clumps/tree
• Anchorage48.5000 clumps/tree
• Moser Farm8.5454 clumps/tree
• Falls Creek30.3636 clumps/tree

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Where Mistletoe is not!

• Cherokee Park Scenic Circle
• Long Run Park
• Long Run Golf Course
• Floyds Fork Park
• Brown Park

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Research to Come

• More Mapping of areas with mistletoe using GIS
  and GPS
• Possible collection and identify multiple clumps
  of mistletoe in different areas
• Possible molecular study of different species
  found in the Louisville area, then compare them
  with Genbank data

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Acknowledgements

• I would like to thank Dr. Tietjen for his help,
  and also thank my Dad for his assistance with the
  identification of the trees.

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References

• UC Pest Management Guidelines http//www.ipm.ucda
  vis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7437.html
• True Mistletoes http//cals.arizona.edu/pubs/dise
  ases/az1308/
• Mistletoes on Hardwoods in the United States
  http//www.fs.fed.us/r6/nr/fid/fidls.147.htm
• Plant Profile http//plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/plan
  t_profile.cgi?earlplant_profile.cgisymbolPHORA
  images