“Botanical sensation”: Mistletoe found growing wild in Finland

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The parasitic mistletoe plant has been found growing on apple trees in Parainen in the southwest of Finland.
      The discovery of mistletoe (Viscum album) in the garden of an old residential area is a “botanical sensation”, says Arno Kasvi, head gardener of the Ruissalo Botanical Gardens of the University of Turku.
      Kasvi (whose name coincidentally means “plant”) says that the appearance of mistletoe is an indication of climate change and mild winters, as the mistletoe, which first germinated on a branch of the apple tree in 2003, has survived several consecutive winters well and is thriving.
      Kasvi says that this is the most successful known growth of mistletoe in Finland. A few years ago, mistletoe was also found in the allotment garden of journalist Aagot Jung, but it was short-lived.
      The closest places where mistletoe grows naturally are islands in Mälaren in Sweden. Mistletoe that has been grown in the Stockholm University Botanical Gardens has spread to nearby trees in Stockholm parks.
      Mistletoe is linked with many myths and beliefs. In some countries it is used as a Christmas decoration.
     
Mistletoe is spread by birds who peck at the white berries, and scrape the seeds of the plant onto branches of trees, where they take root.
      “The birds try to eat them, but they are like a glob of snot on a person’s finger which is hard to get rid of", says Kasvi rather graphically.
     
Kasvi learned about the mistletoe when an elderly couple from Parainen came to him on Thursday to show him photographs taken of the plant in their garden.
      “The lady said that she had brought the seeds of the mistletoe from Stockholm. I did not believe her right away, but it was true. That woman really must have a green thumb.”
      Mistletoe takes nutrition from its host plant, weakening it. “Mistletoe does not pose any dangers to Finnish flora. It is a curiosity. Our climate will not warm up quite so quickly.”
      “In Denmark people can buy apple trees in which mistletoe has been implanted artificially”, Kasvi says.


Links:
  Mistletoe (Wikipedia)

Helsingin Sanomat