This occurs widely in southeastern states, but it sometimes declines in n. Ky. As Gm noted: "Exceptionally severe winters sometimes destroy much of it, but it gradually reappears and becomes common again." The last extensive die-back in n. Ky. occurred after the winters of 1976-78. R. Thompson (BEREA) has devotedly collected this inspiring hemiparasite from all counties except GRAN, where he has seen it on a cut-down tree. He has documented the host species in detail for several areas (e.g. Thompson & Noe 2003, Thompson et al. 2008, Taylor & Thompsoin 2009); see also Reed & Reed (1951). The most common hosts on base-rich soils areJuglans nigra (predominant), Prunus serotina, Ulmus americana, Robinia pseudoacacia, Gleditsia triacanthos, Celtis occidentalis, Fraxinus americana, Acer saccharinum and several other deciduous trees. On more acid soils, Nyssa sylvatica is usually the most common host, perhaps with a distinct rare of Phoradendron (Flanders 2022). Magnoliaceae, Liquidambar, Betulaceae, Fagaceae and Salicaceae are rare hosts or never in Ky., but Q, nigra is a common host further south; Carya is rare in Ky. except to the south..The distribution of Phoradendron is curiously clumped at local scales; and it is possible that distinct genetic races are adapted to different host conditions (Clay et al. 1985, Randle et al. 2018)). The great purple hairstreak butterfly (Atledes halesus Cramer) is a specialist on Phoradendron spp., and rare in Ky. here at the north edge of its range. Although much is known about the chemistry of other species in this genus and familty (including highly toxic lectins in berries), the potential toxicity and medicinal uses of P. leucarpum remain poorly known (De Smet 1997). The correct name for this species has been uncertain for some decades, but may now be settled (W). However, recognition of Viscaceae as distinct from Santalaceae remains somewhat contentious (P. Stevens, Angiosperm Phylogeny Website).