Kissing under the mistletoe Mistletoe Porcelain - Boch Freres' 'Gui' pattern European Mistletoe - Viscum album Viscum album - botanical drawing American Mistletoe - Phoradendron species Saucy Mistletoe Postcard - Raphael Kirchner c 1910 Druids Cutting Mistletoe

  Mistletoe in Europe - Introduction
 

In continental Europe mistletoe is much more common than Britain - and there are several other species too.  

It is so common in parts of France and Germany that is it almost impossible to miss, with large numbers of plants in roadside trees and plantations...

 

 

 

     



Mistletoe in French Poplars

 

There are differing traditions in Europe too - with seasonal use at New Year rather than Christmas kissing - perhaps our less-reserved continental cousins don't need excuses for kissing!

     

 

 

And the plant is well-known in Europe for its medicinal properties, as well as its role in Art Nouveau imagery etc.