Mistletoes are a motley group of plants defined more by their lifestyle than their lineage. They all have three features in ...

But, botanically speaking, that’s what mistletoe is. There are some 1,300 species of this evergreen plant worldwide. They’re ...

It is then that the mistletoe clumps are easily recognized. Mistletoe is a unique plant in that it is a plant parasite. It needs a living tree as a host plant to survive. The scientific genus name ...

Parasites that cannot survive without a host are known as obligate, while facultative parasites can live and reproduce without a host plant. While mistletoe may be commonly associated with Christmas ...

Even though most mistletoe species conduct photosynthesis, these hemiparasitic — or partially parasitic — plants still obtain sugars and other organic molecules from their host. Mistletoe is ...

Shawna was an editor at The Scientist from 2017 through 2022. She holds a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Colorado College and a graduate certificate and science communication from the ...

Mistletoe is such a plant. But set aside the kissing custom and you’ll find a hundred and one reasons to appreciate the berry-bearing parasite for its very own sake. David Watson certainly does.