APSnet featured image - Shoot of Arceuthobium laricis on larch.

APSnet featured image

Shoot of Arceuthobium laricis on larch.

Claudia Nischwitz
University of Idaho, Department of Forest Resources, nisc5708@uidaho.edu;

Host: Larix occidentalis, western larch
Disease name: Dwarf mistletoe
Pathogen name: Arceuthobium laricis

Dwarf mistletoes are parasitic plants that only infect gymnosperms. They are the most important disease of conifers in some regions of western North America. Dwarf mistletoe infection leads to reduced and distorted growth (witches brooms), predisposition to other diseases, wood decay, insects, and death of trees. Fire risk is also increased in stands with heavy infestation of dwarf mistletoe. The annual wood loss was estimated to be 1.7 x 107 cubic meters in 1984 (W.A. Sinclair, H.H. Lyon, and W.T. Johnson. 1987. Diseases of trees and shrubs. Cornell University Press; F.G. Hawksworth and D. Wiens. 1996. Dwarf Mistletoes: Biology, Pathology, and Systematics. B.W. Geils and R. G. Nisley, eds. USDA Forest Service Agriculture Handbook 709; 410 p).

APS publication number: IW000038

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