How to Identify American Mistletoe

Locate a hardwood tree. American mistletoe grows on hardwood trees like oak or hickory. The stems are typically 2 to 3 feet in length and form a ball-like plant structure.

Determine the arrangement of leaves on the plant stem. American mistletoe plants have an opposite leave pattern in which the leaf stems arise from the stem at the same level, opposite from each other.

Look at the size, shape, color and texture of the leaves. American mistletoe leaves are typically 1 to 2 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. They are mainly oval-shaped or lance-shaped. The leaves can be bright green or a greenish yellow color during winter. Mistletoe leaves have a thick waxy texture that helps prevent excessive water loss.

See if the plant has begun to flower. Mistletoe will flower in mid-September to late November. Mistletoe has male and female flowers that grow in different plants. The flowers are around 1/8 inch long, and are green with spherical pollen.

Determine if the plant has berries. Mistletoe will begin to develop berries in late November and continue to March. The berries are white, and usually grow in clusters of 10 or more. They have a smooth texture and range in sizes from 1/6 to 1/4 inch in diameter.