How Mistletoe’s spread across UK could be down to the blackcap | Specieswatch

Scientists have various theories about resurgence of once scarce plant popular at Christmas in Victorian era

Now that deciduous trees have lost their leaves the colonies of mistletoe Viscum album that have been spreading across the country are more obvious. A species that was rare outside the south-east Midlands is now quite common in many areas where it is seen growing mostly on apple, lime, poplar and hawthorn trees.

The Victorian demand for mistletoe was once so great that the British crop from apple orchards was insufficient and hundreds of tonnes had to be imported from France. Every home had to have a sprig at Christmas as an excuse for a clandestine kiss.