Recent research by Maria Zachwatowicz and colleagues from Warsaw University in Poland has investigated urban populations of Viscum album mistletoes in the city of Warsaw.
Clumps of Viscum album mistletoe in urban trees. Photo: D. Meister.
The aims of this study were to:
- analyse mistletoe host preferences in Warsaw
- investigate the influence of environmental
conditions on mistletoe distribution
Cross section showing dark green roots of mistletoe (Viscum album) penetrating its host. Photo: Elon College.
The distribution and abundance of mistletoes on host trees was surveyed for three winters in a row. Analysis of this data showed that:
- Exotic trees were the more common as mistletoes hosts that native species (68%)
- Mistletoes were most common in old housing estates, the city transportation complex and green city sites (especially parks)
- Mistletoe populations were closely related to the number and distribution of breeding and migratory birds
A waxwing with one of its favourite foods: the mistletoe (Viscum album). Photo: J. Lemons.
The researchers conclude that Viscum album has a wide range of ecological adaptations that allow it to thrive in city environments. They suggest that it could therefore be labelled as a synanthrophic species: "plants that live near, and benefit from, an association with humans and the somewhat artificial habitats that humans create around them".
Mistletoe thriving in a human-influenced environment. Photo: Sideway Views.
How does the mistletoe situation in New Zealand compare? Well, most of our mistletoes (Alepis flavida, Peraxilla tetrapetala, Peraxilla colensoi, Tupeia antarctica) are actually in decline due to human-induced changes to their habitats. However, pirita (Ileostylus micranthus) seems to be doing ok and can be found, for example, in the Dunedin Gardens and Cemetery:
Pirita (Ileostylus micranthus) on a rhododendron in Dunedin Cemetery. Photo: C. Kirby.
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