Mistletoe

Description:

A parasitic shrub growing on branches, often high in canopy, of broad-leaved trees. It forms a shrub in a form of a large ball, some 60 to 70 cm in diameter; and it has narrow waxy-green leaves growing ni pairs, of somewhat leathery texture. Here, fruit and flowers are observed in the same moment. The female flowers (Ph N°2) are discreet and greenish-yellow; while the fruit is white berry.

Habitat:

Grows on some trees in our communal garden in urban environment; close to an important town wooded park; just in between Jura Mountain range and lake Leman (lake Geneva).

Notes:

There is some use of mistletoe by herbalists for treating respiratory diseases and also cancer (????). There is also some glue made of it in order to capture songbirds (which I would strongly advise against!!! ).