Appearance
It is a hemi-parasitic shrub, which grows on the stems of other trees. It has stems 30–100 centimetres long with dichotomous branching. The leaves are in opposite pairs, strap-shaped, entire, leathery textured, 2–8 centimetres long, 0.8–2.5 centimetres broad and are a yellowish-green in colour. This species is dioecious and the insect-pollinated flowers are inconspicuous, yellowish-green, 2–3 millimetres diameter. The fruit is a white or yellow berry containing one seed embedded in the very sticky, glutinous fruit pulp.It is commonly found in the crowns of broad-leaved trees, particularly apple, lime, hawthorn and poplar.
Naming
Several subspecies are commonly accepted. They differ in fruit colour, leaf shape and size, and most obviously in the host trees utilised.⤷ ''Viscum album'' subsp. ''abietis'' Abromeit. Central Europe. Fruit white; leaves up to 8 centimetres . On ''Abies''.
⤷ ''Viscum album'' subsp. ''album''. Europe, southwest Asia east to Nepal. Fruit white; leaves 3–5 centimetres . On ''Malus'', ''Populus'', ''Tilia'', and less often on numerous other species, including ''Quercus''.
⤷ ''Viscum album'' subsp. ''austriacum'' Vollmann. Fruit yellow; leaves 2–4 centimetres . Central Europe. On ''Larix'', ''Pinus'', ''Picea''.
⤷ ''Viscum album'' subsp. ''meridianum'' D.G.Long. Southeastern Asia. Fruit yellow; leaves 3–5 centimetres . On ''Acer'', ''Carpinus'', ''Juglans'', ''Prunus'', ''Sorbus''.
⤷ ''Viscum album'' subsp. ''creticum'' has recently been described from eastern Crete. Fruit white; leaves short. On ''Pinus brutia''.
⤷ ''Viscum album'' subsp. ''coloratum'' Kom. is treated by the ''Flora of China'' as a distinct species ''Viscum coloratum'' Nakai.
Defense
The toxic lectin Viscumin has been isolated from ''Viscum album''. Viscumin is a cytotoxic protein that binds to galactose residues of cell surface glycoproteins and may be internalised by endocytosis. Viscumin strongly inhibits protein synthesis by inactivating the 60 S ribosomal subunit.Uses
Mistletoe is an ingredient of pomace brandy based liquor biska made in Istra, Croatia.Cultural
Mistletoe is an ingredient of pomace brandy based liquor biska made in Istra, Croatia.References:
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