Viscum album

Common card · No. 282952

Viscum album is a species of mistletoe in the family Santalaceae, commonly called European mistletoe, common mistletoe, or simply mistletoe (Old English mistle). It is native to Europe, as well as western and southern Asia. V. album is found only rarely in North America, as an introduced species. Viscum album is a hemiparasite on several species of trees, from which it draws water and nutrients. It has a significant role in European mythology, legends, and customs. In modern times, it is commonly featured among Christmas decorations and symbology. In North America its cultural roles are usually fulfilled by the similar native species, Phoradendron leucarpum. Long used in alternative medicine traditions without any academic basis, mistletoe now is under study for pharmaceutical uses in modern medicine.

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