#viscum

[akesauri]

[flowers-roses]

Mistletoe (December 24, and in some traditions June 23 – days of special power) Symbol: mysticism, magic

In the Celtic tree horoscope, the sign of the Mistletoe belongs to the tree of mysticism, magic, and uniqueness. Mistletoe was a sacred plant for the Celts, growing between earth and sky — symbolizing the connection between the visible and the invisible worlds. People born under the Mistletoe sign have a special, charismatic, and spiritually sensitive personality. They seem to operate on a different wavelength than others: they deeply sense energies, people’s moods, and unspoken truths. They are often inspiring, attractive, and difficult to decipher — there is something “magical” about them that others can feel. These individuals seek inner peace and harmony while often taking on a mediator’s role: helping others understand themselves, reconcile, or heal. At the same time, it is important for them to preserve their independence and inner balance, because their sensitivity can easily lead to exhaustion. In Celtic tradition, mistletoe is the symbol of magical power, healing, and sacred balance — belonging to those who live on the boundary between two worlds and possess the rare gift of understanding the unseen.

“Sitting under the mistletoe (Pale-green, fairy mistletoe),” “No footsteps came, no voice, but only … Lips unseen — and kissed me there.” Walter de la Mare „Mistletoe” A fagyöngy alatt ültem – halványzöld, tündér-fagyöngy alatt –, nem jött lépés, nem szólt hang, csak… láthatatlan ajkak értek hozzám, és ott megcsókoltak.”

[spilladabalia]

Barbican Estate - Barn Burning

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Friday 31 December 2021

The partially parasitic species Viscum album (mistletoe) is well-known for its waxy white berries found on the female plants. It forms a globose shape and can parasitise more than 200 tree and shrub species.

Jill Raggett

[zu-is-here]

Day 7: Do you..?

Nightmare by @jokublog

Geno by @loverofpiggies

Aftermare Week by @bluepalleteuniverse

[katiajewelbox]

Merry Christmas Eve! This week's post is a guest post from the Copenhagen Plant Science Centre in Denmark, used with their generous permission.

PLANT OF THE WEEK – Viscum album (common name: Mistletoe, mistelten). Mistletoe is particularly eye-catching during wintertime as lush, green globes high in the leafless treetops. Its many small, pearly white berries form a striking contrast to its evergreen foliage. Mistletoe is an evergreen hemiparasite with branches more than 50 cm long. The shoot system is dichotomous with opposite, ligulate leaves. There are female and male plants. The 1-3 mm long yellow-greenish flowers are placed apically in groups of three. In male flowers, the anthers are fused with perianth segments. Female flowers have an inferior ovary with a sessile stigma. They are pollinated in April, mainly by small flies. The fruit is a white berry with a very sticky pulp. All parts of the plant are moderately poisonous. The berries develop in autumn and winter and provide food for migrating birds, mainly Bohemian waxwings and mistle thrushes. The berries quickly pass through the bird, and the defecated seeds can be seen dangling from branches in sticky garlands strung together by undigested remnants of the pulp. The Eurasian blackcap uses its beak to squeeze the seed from the fruit before it is eaten. To remove the sticky seed, the bird rubs its beak against a twig, thus depositing the seed in a place it is likely able to germinate. Mistletoe grows on many species of deciduous trees (some on conifers). It attaches to its host by a haustorium, a modified root, which penetrates the vessels, from where it obtains water and nutrients. The mistletoe has chloroplasts and can perform photosynthesis; hence the term ‘hemiparasite’. Interestingly, the mitochondrial genome of mistletoe is much smaller than that of other plants and lacks many important genes, causing inefficient energy production. The mistletoe can cope on this low energy budget due to its very slow growth and parasitic lifestyle. Today, mistletoe is widely distributed in Europe south of Denmark. Fossil records from 9,000 – 6,000 years ago show that mistletoe has previously been present in Denmark. After being extinct for many years, introduced specimens from gardens are now spreading in Denmark, especially around Copenhagen. Throughout history, mistletoe has played a role in many cultures. It was believed to possess magical powers, e.g. by the Celtic druids. In Denmark, we know the mistletoe from Nordic mythology, where the goddess Frigg forgot to extract an oath from the deceptively innocuous mistletoe, when she made all beings swear to never harm Balder. Today, it is mainly associated with the Christmastime custom that whoever stands beneath a mistletoe may be kissed. Though mistletoe has long been regarded as a fertility symbol, this custom is fairly new as it is first described in England in the mid-18th century. This Plant of the Week is presented by Niels Jacobsen, Kira Tendal, Karen Rysbjerg Jensen and marian ørgaard, employees at the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

[animepopheart]

★ 【viscum】 「 misaka 」 ☆ ✔ republished w/permission ⊳ ⊳ follow me on twitter

[blackforestnature]

Mistletoes on a tree at Taubergießen, early spring.