Ivy & Mistletoe

Because of their association with Christmas we’ve been digging up some interesting facts about these two plants.

Ivy

For many Ivy is a dark and dangerous plant, a reputation gained partially because it grows by clinging to trees and bushes apparently choking them to death. In reality Ivy is one of the most valuable plant around for wildlife as it provides shelter at all times and the winter flowers and berries are a welcome food source when other supplies have all but disappeared.

Although its clinging habitat does not actually kill the supporting tree, it may well weaken it by competing for water, nutrients and light. It is one of the few British climbers to reach any great height, up to 30m (100ft) with support.

Did you know…

In folklore Ivy is a kindly plant and with its clinging habitat is a female symbol and a sign of fertility as it refuses to die in winter.
It was once believed that if Ivy grew on the walls of a house the occupants were safe from witches, but if it withered disaster could be expected.
Water and wine mixed in an Ivy wood bowl are said to automatically separate, so the leaves and berries were once used to protect against the effects of drunkenness.
An Ivy wreath worn ‘with perseverance’ is said to prevent falling hair.
Corns are supposed to be cured by binding Ivy leaves in vinegar over them.
A vinegar of Ivy berries was a popular remedy in the Great Plague of London 1665.

Mistletoe

In folklore Mistletoe was a symbol of peace and hospitality and is supposed to protect against witchcraft. It has been a mystical plant for centuries and because of its importantance to the Druids has never been accepted by the church. Interestingly its Latin name Viscum album means ‘sticky white’ a very apt description. Whilst its common name comes from the Anglo-Saxon mestel tan meaning literally ‘dung on a twig’.

Did you know...

There are 1,350 different species of Mistletoe in the world, belonging to the Loranthaceae and Viscaceae families.
The only Mistletoe to grow in Britain is Viscum album, which grows only on deciduous hosts.
The host plants of Mistletoe are mainly Apple, Hawthorn, Lime and Poplar.
Although they rely on their hosts for water and minerals, most species of Mistletoe have green leaves and can make sugar by photosynthesis, so strictly speaking they are semi-parasitic.
Birds, usually the Mistle Thrush, eat the white berries, excreting the sticky half-digested remains onto branches, where they are ready to germinate.
The berries contain a natural glue known as viscin which helps them stick onto potential hosts.

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