Where: Västmanland
When: Best seen in Winter
What: Mistletoe
If you've ever driven through Västerås in winter, you've probably noticed those big bunches of leaves in the trees. That's mistletoe. It's very rare in Sweden, so seeing it thrive here is quite something. Mistletoe is a special guest in Västmanland.
WHAT EXACTLY IS MISTLETOE?
You might know mistletoe from Christmas decorations – those bunches of twigs with sticky white berries hanging above doorways. And yes, if you happen to find yourself under one with someone else, tradition says you should give each other a kiss!
WHERE DOES THE KISSING TRADITION COME FROM?
Mistletoe has been wrapped in folklore for ages. It's even mentioned in Asterix and Obelix! According to the Druids, standing under mistletoe brought instant peace – like a magical truce. Back in the day, people hung mistletoe in stables to keep the bad vibes away and ensure their animals stayed fertile.
In 18th-century England, it became a thing that a lady standing under mistletoe could be kissed. Soon enough, it was customary to pluck a berry for every kiss. Once the berries were gone, no more kissing! Come Victorian times, mistletoe became a staple in Christmas celebrations.
MISTLETOE: A TRICKY SEMI-PARASITE
Mistletoe is a bit of a rebel in the plant world. Mistletoe is an evergreen semi-parasitic plant that's toxic to humans and some animals. It lives on trees such as apple trees, pines, firs, oaks, and poplars. Since mistletoe itself has leathery leaves, it can produce its own energy by photosyntheses. However, because it grows high in the tree and cannot reach the ground with its roots, it depends on its host for water and minerals, which it obtains by rooting into the tree and sucking up its juice. Mistletoe can live up to 70 years.
For its survival, mistletoe relies on birds. They eat the sticky berries, and the seeds end up on other branches where they can grow further. The tree acting as the host gains no benefit from its guest; in fact, if multiple mistletoe plants grow on the tree over time, it can suffer as a result.
WHY MISTLETOE NEEDS PROTECTION
Given its dependence on specific conditions, mistletoe is pretty vulnerable. If a seed manages to sprout in the bark, it can take up to 4 years for the plant to become visible. During dry periods, there's a risk of dehydration. Mistletoe is sensitive to change, an entire group can suddenly disappear.
In Sweden, this delicate plant is very rare, the growth of this semi-parasite here in Västmanland is crucial for its survival in the country. That's why mistletoe is protected. You can't just pluck it – only the landowner can, and even then, only in special cases to save a dying tree. If the tree goes, so does the mistletoe. It's crucial to keep enough mistletoe around to ensure it sticks around in the area.
Mistletoe is like that familiar face you see here in Västerås, A cozy sight, making those bare winter trees feel a bit more dressed up.
HELPFUL LINKS
Information from the county board about mistletoe (in Swedish):
Protection rules for mistletoe in Sweden (in Swedish):
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