Mistletoe

Viscum album

Also known as Oak mistletoe, Stelin album, Eastern mistletoe, American mistletoe

Native Plants · Parasitic Plant · Hemiparasite · Mistletoe · Holiday · Winter · Berries · Evergreen · European · Wildlife · Traditional

Mistletoe is a hemiparasitic plant that grows on the branches of host trees such as apple, poplar, and lime, drawing water and nutrients directly from its host. It cannot be grown in a pot or soil — it must be propagated by pressing its sticky berries onto suitable host branch bark in late winter. It is mainly grown as a novelty or for traditional winter decorations, and thrives with minimal human intervention once successfully established on a host.