It is a parasitic plant that roots into the wood of other plants to obtain its nutrients. A mature plant produces a spherical specimen up to 90cm in diameter. Inconspicuous flowers are produced from February to April which are followed by white fruits on female plants. To encourage new plants, find some mistletoe with ripe berries and press these into bark fissures on the underside of the junction of boughs. For best results the host tree should be of the same species as the tree on which the parent plant is growing.
Germination can take three months.
The tradition of kissing beneath the mistletoe is said to relate to the Scandinavian god Balder, the god of peace and love. He was slain by an arrow of mistletoe but was restored to life at the request of the other gods. After, it was granted that everyone who passed under the mistletoe should receive a kiss to demonstrate the power of love over evil. Our newly acquired converted barn is covered in copious amounts of mature ivy - looks lovely but the thick walls are just not drying out resulting in peeling paint and paper and speckles of damp patches. What's the best way of removing the ivy without causing damage to the walls.