Viscum album - Mistletoe

Viscum album, generally known as the European mistletoe, is an evergreen, semi -parasitic plant that belongs to the family of Santalaceae. The mistletoe is widespread in Europe and parts of Asia and North Africa. Because of their unique ecological role, its diverse uses in traditional medicine and their symbolic importance in different cultures, Viscum album has a special position in the flora. This plant, which often grows in the dip of trees, attracts special attention due to its striking white berries and evergreen leaves.

Morphology

Viscum album is an evergreen shrub that can reach a height of around 30 to 100 centimeters. The plant forms spherical bushes that can reach up to one meter in diameter. It grows as a half-parasite on various host trees, including leaf and coniferous trees such as apple, poplar, fir and oak. The plant removes water and nutrients to its hosts, while it is able to produce sugar through photosynthesis.

The branches of Viscum album are branched for gabby and have a green to yellowish color. The leaves are arranged, lanceolate and leather -like, about 2 to 8 centimeters long and 0.5 to 2 centimeters wide. They are whole and have a slightly wax -like surface, which gives them a shiny look. The leaves remain green all year round and thus contribute to the photosynthesis of the plant.

The flowers of the mistletoe are small, inconspicuous and greenish-yellow. They appear in late winter until spring and are two houses, which means that male and female flowers occur on separate plants. The pollination is carried out by insects, in particular through flies and beetles. After pollination, the characteristic white, sometimes slightly yellowish berries, which measure about 6 to 10 millimeters in diameter and contain one or two seeds each. The berries ripen late to winter and are very sticky, which contributes to the spread of the seeds.

Life cycle and parasitism

Viscum album is a semi -parasitic plant that grows on their hosts and is attached to the guiding tissue of the host tree with special roots, so -called frontories. The mistletoe removes water and dissolved nutrients through these frontories, while it operates photosynthesis through its own leaves and thus covers part of their energy needs. As a rule, the plant does not harm your host, but if there is severe infestation, the growth of the host can affect and increase its susceptibility to other stress factors such as dryness or diseases.

The seeds of Viscum album are mainly spread by birds, especially through throttles and silk tails that eat the sticky berries. After digestion, the sticky seed often sticks to the branches where he can germinate. The seedling then forms a front goo that penetrates into the bark of the host tree to absorb water and nutrients.

Distribution and habitat

Viscum album is widespread in large parts of Europe, Asia and North Africa. The plant prefers moderate climates and can be found in a variety of habitats, from lowland forests to montane regions. It grows on a variety of deciduous and coniferous trees and prefers well-exposed locations because it requires sufficient sunlight for its photosynthesis.

The plant shows a certain specificity with regard to its host trees. There are different subspecies of Viscum album, each specializing in certain host tree species, e.g. B. Viscum album subsp. Abietis, which mainly grows on firs.

Ecological meaning

Viscum album plays an important role in the ecosystem. The berries are an important source of food for many bird species in winter, especially in times when other food is scarce. In addition, the birds contribute to the spread of the mistletoe by consuming the berries. Viscum album also serves as a habitat for different types of insects that live on the leaves and flowers of the plant and feed on them.

Although the mistletoe is often considered a pest, especially in orchards where it can affect the vitality of fruit trees, its ecological role is complex. It contributes to biodiversity by offering a source of food for birds and insects and represents an example of the complex interactions in natural ecosystems.

Use and cultural importance

Viscum album has a long history of use in traditional medicine. The plant was and is used to treat various symptoms, including high blood pressure, epilepsy and rheumatic complaints. Mistletoe is used in complementary cancer therapy in modern medicine, especially in anthroposophical medicine, where extracts are used by Viscum album as immune modulators.

Culturally, Viscum album has a symbolic meaning in many European traditions. It is considered a symbol of fertility, protection and health. The tradition of the mistletoe, which is hung over doors during Christmas season, is particularly well known. It is said that a kiss under the mistletoe should bring happiness.