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How To Care
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Mistletoes (Viscum)
Lifespan
Perennial
Key Facts About Mistletoes
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Attributes of Mistletoes
Leaf type
Semi-evergreen
Scientific Classification of Mistletoes
Distribution of Mistletoes
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Distribution Map of Mistletoes
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Mistletoes
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Mistletoes consists of evergreen, hemiparasitic plants requiring host trees for growth. Basic Care Needs involve moderate to bright indirect light and minimal watering, as they draw nutrients from host trees. Common Challenges include infestations by scale insects and mistletoe birds dispersing seeds, potentially causing uncontrolled spread. Seasonal Considerations must account for host tree health; during spring and summer, mistletoes thrives with host growth, while in autumn and winter, care must ensure host tree isn't overburdened.
How to Water Mistletoes?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Mistletoes?
How to Propagate Mistletoes?
How to Plant Mistletoes?
Exploring the Mistletoes Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Common mistletoe
Common mistletoe (Viscum album) is a shrub that grows on the stems of trees. Its native range is in Europe, but it has been imported to North America as well. Common mistletoe is parasitic, getting most of its water and nutrients from the host tree. All portions of the plant are toxic and can be fatal if ingested in concentrated form.
Jointed mistletoe
jointed mistletoe is a semi-parasitic perennial shrub that obtains its water and salts from its host but manages its own photosynthesis. It has been reported to have toxic properties and should not be ingested. Although jointed mistletoe is often observed to be leafless, it does have minute scale-like leaves.
Coloured mistletoe
The coloured mistletoe is a shrubby plant that parasitizes on several tree species of the genera Prunus, Malus, Populus, Quercus, Pyrus, Pterocarya, Salix, and Ulmus. The tree is characterized by fruit color dimorphism - a phenomenon when a species' fruit matures to two different colors.
European mistletoe
It is a hemi-parasitic shrub, which grows on the stems of other trees. It has stems 30 to 100 cm long with dichotomous branching. The leaves are in opposite pairs, strap-shaped, entire, leathery textured, 2 to 8 cm long, 8 to 25 mm broad and are a yellowish-green in colour.
Pine mistletoe
Pine mistletoe is a semi-parasitic evergreen shrub with yellowish-green, lanceolate leaves and sticky, white berries. It often perches on tree branches, siphoning nutrients and water from its host. Its stems form a distinctive branching pattern. The plant's ability to grow without soil, using others for support, highlights its unique place in the ecosystem.
Conifer mistletoe
This mistletoe's Latin name Viscum album subsp. abietis and common name conifer mistletoe reveal that it is a parasite on fir (Abies) trees. Probably due to its peculiar looks and interesting biochemical properties, this semi-parasitic plant has always had a special place in the folklore of its native range and is especially connected to ancient ceremonial traditions.
Viscum rotundifolium
Viscum rotundifolium is a fascinating evergreen shrub characterized by its small, round leaves and inconspicuous yellow-green flowers. This parasitic plant thrives on tree branches, drawing nutrients from its host. The spherical berries it produces are typically white or yellowish, adding a subtle charm to its adopted arboreal home. Adapted to its ecosystem, viscum rotundifolium balances carefully with its host, ensuring mutual survival rather than outright dominance.
Viscum hoolei
Viscum hoolei is a parasitic shrub typically found clinging to host trees. It forms dense clusters with evergreen leaves and distinctive forked branches. Its environmental harmony is showcased as it draws water and nutrients from its host, while the waxy leaves hint at a resilience to water loss. Seasonal growth brings forth pearly white berries, often signifying the plant's maturity and ecological role as a provider of food for certain bird species.
More Popular Genus
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Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
Distribution
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
Mistletoes
Viscum
Lifespan
Perennial
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Key Facts About Mistletoes
Feedback
Attributes of Mistletoes
Leaf type
Semi-evergreen
Scientific Classification of Mistletoes
Distribution of Mistletoes
Feedback
Distribution Map of Mistletoes
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Mistletoes
Feedback
Mistletoes consists of evergreen, hemiparasitic plants requiring host trees for growth. Basic Care Needs involve moderate to bright indirect light and minimal watering, as they draw nutrients from host trees. Common Challenges include infestations by scale insects and mistletoe birds dispersing seeds, potentially causing uncontrolled spread. Seasonal Considerations must account for host tree health; during spring and summer, mistletoes thrives with host growth, while in autumn and winter, care must ensure host tree isn't overburdened.
How to Water Mistletoes?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Mistletoes?
How to Propagate Mistletoes?
How to Plant Mistletoes?
Exploring the Mistletoes Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Common mistletoe
Common mistletoe (Viscum album) is a shrub that grows on the stems of trees. Its native range is in Europe, but it has been imported to North America as well. Common mistletoe is parasitic, getting most of its water and nutrients from the host tree. All portions of the plant are toxic and can be fatal if ingested in concentrated form.
Jointed mistletoe
jointed mistletoe is a semi-parasitic perennial shrub that obtains its water and salts from its host but manages its own photosynthesis. It has been reported to have toxic properties and should not be ingested. Although jointed mistletoe is often observed to be leafless, it does have minute scale-like leaves.
Coloured mistletoe
The coloured mistletoe is a shrubby plant that parasitizes on several tree species of the genera Prunus, Malus, Populus, Quercus, Pyrus, Pterocarya, Salix, and Ulmus. The tree is characterized by fruit color dimorphism - a phenomenon when a species' fruit matures to two different colors.
European mistletoe
It is a hemi-parasitic shrub, which grows on the stems of other trees. It has stems 30 to 100 cm long with dichotomous branching. The leaves are in opposite pairs, strap-shaped, entire, leathery textured, 2 to 8 cm long, 8 to 25 mm broad and are a yellowish-green in colour.
Show More Species
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
Nearly 5 years of research
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
