Although we don’t have the traditional mistletoe you’d see in the movies, Arizona has a unique member of the kingdom Plantae that is only found in desert climates. Desert mistletoe can be found attached to some of our state’s most famous trees. The plant — typically found in the southern part of Arizona — is considered parasitic as it burrows itself deep inside the canopies of legume trees, stealing water and nutrients from its host.
So why all the smooching? The mistletoe became a common symbol of fertility and life as the plant will remain green regardless of cold temperatures and snow coverage.
