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TOPIC: Mistletoe

Blobrana

L

Posts: 131433

Date: Dec 20 14:51 2010

RE: Mistletoe	Permalink

New mistletoe species discovered by Kew Gardens experts A new species of tropical mistletoe has been described by scientists at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in London. The research team found the plant on an expedition to Mount Mabu in northern Mozambique in 2008. Now, just in time for Christmas, they have confirmed that Helixanthera schizocalyx is new to science. Read more __________________

Blobrana

L

Posts: 131433

Date: Dec 19 13:34 2010

Helixanthera schizocalyx	Permalink

Helixanthera schizocalyx A striking new mistletoe, recently discovered in the 'lost forest' of Mt Mabu in northern Mozambique, is currently known from just five collections made in the same small area. This parasitic plant is one of the tropical mistletoes or loranths. It was recently discovered near the summit of Mt Mabu in northern Mozambique during a Kew-led expedition to investigate the biodiversity and conservation requirements of a range of mountains in this part of south-eastern Africa. Helixanthera schizocalyx is found on stunted trees such as Psychotria zombamontana (Rubiaceae - coffee family) at the upper edge of wet montane forests where broad granite peaks break through. So far it is known from just five collections, all in the same small area. It was first noticed by Colin Congdon, a renowned East African butterfly specialist, who realised it was different from anything he had seen on mountains in Malawi and Tanzania. Lepidopterists pay particular attention to members of the Loranthaceae family as many species are specific hosts for a group of interesting butterflies. Read more __________________

Blobrana

L

Posts: 131433

Date: Dec 12 02:13 2007

Mistletoe	Permalink

The druids revered mistletoe (and the oak tree) and used it to announce the new year. Because of its pagan associations it is not used by Christians to decorate churches. It is also associated with fertility and conception, which is one reason it is used for kissing under. There is a strict etiquette involved, which entails a man removing a berry from the plant after each kiss; after the last berry has been plucked no more kissing is allowed. But this tradition seems to have been lost in time. Even if the person approaching you is not very kissable, do not be tempted to eat the berries as they are poisonous! Read more Mistletoe bears fruit at the time of the Winter Solstice, the birth of the new year, and may have been used in solstitial rites in Druidic Britain. According to custom, the mistletoe must not touch the ground between its cutting and its removal as the last of Christmas greens at Candlemas; mistletoe might remain hung through the year, often to preserve the house from lightning or fire, until it was replaced the following Christmas Eve.[7]. The tradition has spread throughout the English-speaking world but is largely unknown in the rest of Europe. In previous times the tradition was that the couple took away a fruit each time until they were all used up and at this point the mistletoe lost its vitality. The appearance and nature of the fruit's content (viscin) is very similar or suggestive of human semen and this has strengthened its pagan connections. Read more __________________

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