It is distinguished from "Cupressus arizonica" var. It was previously listed as "Cupressus arizonica" subsp. "stephensonii" and "Cupressus arizonica" var. "Hesperocyparis nevadensis" synonyms; "Cupressus arizonica" subsp. It was also previously included as a subspecies within "Cupressus arizonica", "Cupressus arizonica" subsp. "nevadensis". This mistletoe parasitizes species of cypress, including Arizona cypress ("Cupressus arizonica"), and juniper (Juniperus spp.). "Cupressus arizonica" is a coniferous evergreen tree with a conic to ovoid-conic crown.