Distribution of mistletoe species around the world

Distribution of European mistletoe in central & southern Britain

Mistletoe Distribution and Conservation

With 1400+ species around the world, summarising mistletoe distribution and conservation is rather difficult. These pages outline information on the situation worldwide, across Europe and in Britain, with some notes on conservation (and control) issues.

The two main mistletoe families - Loranthaceae and Viscaceae, though obviously closely related, are thought to have evolved separately within the plant order Santalales. They have very different appearance, especially when in flower, with the rather dowdy Viscaceae flowers eclipsed by the elongate colourful flowers of the Loranths. More on this in the worldwide pages

	The pictures show Viscum album flowers - an example of the Viscaceae and, in contrast, the colourful flowers of the Agelanthus sansibarensis , a Loranthaceous species (below left)
	But the two families have similar worldwide distributions, both occurring throughout the tropics and subtropics, including sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South America and Australasia.
This map shows the range of all mistletoe families worldwide. More on this in the worldwide pages.

	Quick links
		Want to buy mistletoe? Visit: Need news about mistletoe? Try: Looking for mistletoe advice, or a speaker? Try Interested in Mistletoe Events? Visit: For mistletoe cards, tees, mugs etc visit Want to Grow Your Own? Get advice here, or buy a grow-kit Coming soon - links to: The Mistletoe Picture Library