Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

A Dwarf Mistletoe Seed Spreads by being Shot Through the Air

Detailed Description

A dwarf mistletoe seed is disseminated by an explosive mechanism regulated by the buildup of water pressure inside a mistletoe berry as it ripens.  The seeds, coated with a sticky substance, cling to any surface they hit, including birds, other animals, or tree branches.

Sources/Usage