This Month's Plant
December
Mistletoe - Viscum album
Now that the host's leaves have fallen many
clumps of Mistletoe are evident on several of the apple trees in the
orchard. Between the bright green leaves is an abundance of waxy white fat
berries which have developed and ripened from insignificant flowers which were
borne earlier in the year. The plants attach to and penetrate the branches of
the apple trees by a structure called the haustorium, through which they absorb
water and nutrients from the host plant. Although it is parasitic, it will not
kill the host tree but can weaken it.
The name Mistletoe originally referred
to the species Viscum album (European mistletoe, of the family Santalaceae in
the order Santalales); it was the only species native to Great Britain and much of Europe .
Over the centuries, the term has been broadened to include many other species
of parasitic plants with similar habits, found in other parts of the world.
The berries, which are poisonous, are often
spread by birds from one tree to another, and this is how the large rounded
clumps of mistletoe form in tree branches. The most common host tree in the UK Physic Garden
Mistletoe is a popular Christmas plant
and decoration. There are lots of legends and traditions surrounding Mistletoe,
the most well known and popular being the kissing one. It was believed that
kissing under the mistletoe would lead to marriage. In ancient times the Druids believed that Mistletoe
would bring good luck and health. Because of its high toxicity it has
little use in medicine.
Most Mistletoe on sale comes either
from the UK or elsewhere in Europe . Mistletoe will keep for two to three weeks
after gathering if it is kept in a cool place such as a shed or garage.
Mistletoe will be on sale in the Physic Garden