North Africa, Asia (China, Japan, the Middle East, India, Nepal), Europe (throughout), into Scandinavia.
Dicot hemi-parasitic shrub. Occuring on branches of perennial shrubs. Jepson: "On Acer, Alnus, Betula, Crataegus, Malus, Populus, Robinia, Salix, Ulmus, other deciduous trees)...Introduced to CA by Luther Burbank, +/- 1900, sometimes sold locally in Christmas trade."
Introduced to the Bay Area approximately 1900 as an ornamental. Still used as a Christmas decoration.