Mistletoe Is Actually A Parasite

The kissing plant hides a secret. There is a hemi-parasite that attacks trees.

The Phoradendron is a group of mistletoe that is used to decorate doors.

Mistletoe has evolved into over a thousand different species.

The difference between mistletoe and sandalwood is that mistletoe invades tree branches in a different way.

It draws energy from the Sun and the tree host.

Up to 100 berries a day are devoured by birds which are devoured by sticky seeds produced by Mistletoe.

The sticky seeds are defecated.

When a flying bird lands on a tree, it clings to its branches as its new home.

Birds have sticky seeds and poop on their feet.

Mistletoe can cause stress to trees and make them more vulnerable to diseases.

mistletoe can cause trees to die.

It can sneakily avoid a damaged tree's stress by consuming from the phloem, which transforms nutrition from the tree's leaves.

Watkins says a small amount of mistletoe in well looked after gardens shouldn't be cause for alarm.

It has good qualities as well.

Sharing a host tree with a mistletoe friend can help the plant show kindness and cause less tree damage.

Its flowers are used for food by honeybees and it is a host plant for caterpillar. Birds, bats, insects and even small mammals get their food from damaged trees.

Squirrels will eat the berries, and deer and porcupines will eat the plant itself.

The Regent Honeyeater needs Australian mistletoe for food and shelter.

The dense foliage is a great shade for animals.

mistletoe is a great way to connect at Christmas.