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Phoradendron yucatanum Trel.

Parasitic shrub attached to branchlets and main trunks of trees; young stems green, angled; branches sympodial (cyme-like); leaves opposite, simple, oblong-elliptic, base acute, margin entire, apex rounded, of leathery texture; flowers small, greenish yellow, on spikes arising from the nodes.

Additional images:

• habit, on trunk of host tree
• leaves and flowers

This and other mistletoes qualify as water parasites. Water and dissolved mineral nutrients are obtained from the host tree through the sucker-like attachment organ. The mistletoe is green and photosynthetic, most likely manufacturing for itself all the organic food (sugars) required for growth and development.