A mistletoe find...

[Dorts]

Mistletoe is decreasing, and in some areas, such as here in N. Wales, it is simply not to be found, (despite Rowan being very common). Its strongholds are still the main areas of apple production as can be seen from this distribution map:
BSBI Maps Scheme: Hectad Map

Although our native Mistletoe - Viscum album, is not host specific, it could well be that seed from a plant on apple would prefer to find itself on another apple etc.. Certainly an area for study.

By the way, welcome to WAB Jonathan.
Dorts.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Around Virginia Water it's host of choice is Hornbeam.

Around Hounslow it was quite common on Hawthorn and Robinia.

I have seen the foreign deciduous species growing at Kew gardens.

Cheers,

Adam

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

I have seen the foreign deciduous species growing at Kew gardens.
Cheers,
Adam

Adam, I presume you mean European Yellow Mistletoe - Loranthus europaeus, which has not been recorded 'wild' in Britain as far as I'm aware; so presume the plant at Kew was a deliberate introduction.
Dorts.

[jonathanbriggs]

Originally Posted by Dorts

Mistletoe is decreasing, and in some areas, such as here in N. Wales, it is simply not to be found, (despite Rowan being very common). Its strongholds are still the main areas of apple production as can be seen from this distribution map:
BSBI Maps Scheme: Hectad Map

Although our native Mistletoe - Viscum album, is not host specific, it could well be that seed from a plant on apple would prefer to find itself on another apple etc.. Certainly an area for study.

By the way, welcome to WAB Jonathan.
Dorts.

Hi Dorts, thanks for the welcome!

A small correction - mistletoe is, but also isn't, decreasing. There's been a sort of over-simplified chinese whisper going around for years that it is on the decline - and that's sort-of true - but it's not as simple as that. Yes, it's decreasing in abundance/biomass as the apple orchards of its SW midlands stronghold continue to decline, but there's no evidence of any decrease in the wider countryside - quite the opposite in fact. That decline in orchards is a major issue for the mistletoe crop, and harvesting tradition, and may, or may not, be a major biodiversity issue too, as it's not clear how critical the mass of mistletoe in orchards is for mistletoe obligates (specifically its six insects). But, there's no trend of mistletoe loss outside orchards, - on the contrary, evidence suggests it's increasing in many places, particularly in suburban habitats, and noticeably in the south and east - both areas outside it's main climatic range in the SW midlands. This may be a sign of subtle climate change and/or in bird vectors (particularly increased overwintering blackcap populations).

You won't see much of it in North Wales, despite many suitable hosts, as you're well outside it's natural range. The few occurrences that are there in that area (and there are a few) are in parks and gardens where it was probably introduced. It tends to survive, and sometimes grow quite well, when planted outside of its range - but it usually doesn't spread far - creating odd little population pockets that can be misinterpreted as remnants of a once larger population. Many/most of the mistletoe distribution dots scattered across eastern and southern England can (probably) be attributed to being historic introductions.

The whole confused issue of why it grows where it grows (it's probably not because of apples) was reviewed, albeit briefly, in my recent article in British Wildlife (Oct issue).

[jonathanbriggs]

Originally Posted by Dorts

Adam, I presume you mean European Yellow Mistletoe - Loranthus europaeus, which has not been recorded 'wild' in Britain as far as I'm aware; so presume the plant at Kew was a deliberate introduction.
Dorts.

The Loranthus at Kew is of, er, 'obscure' origin. It's on an oak (unlike our Viscum, Loranthus europeaus thrives on oak) and only came to the attention of the Kew authorities (5-10 years ago) long after it had become established. It must have been deliberately planted, but, afaik, no-one has yet claimed responsibility!

[Dorts]

Thanks for that Johnathan. Very interesting observations from someone who has obviously taken a keen interest in this species.

Yes, it's the amount of Mistletoe that has clearly decreased; those enormous bunches once so common a sight is now almost a thing of the past, but it's good to hear that it is increasing its range.
Unfortunately distribution maps can clearly show where a species is declining, but are far less clear in showing areas into which a species may be spreading.
Thanks for clearing that up.
Dorts.

[alindsay]

Grateful thanks for all the interesting facts.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by Dorts

Thanks for that Johnathan. Very interesting observations from someone who has obviously taken a keen interest in this species.

Yes, it's the amount of Mistletoe that has clearly decreased; those enormous bunches once so common a sight is now almost a thing of the past, but it's good to hear that it is increasing its range.
Unfortunately distribution maps can clearly show where a species is declining, but are far less clear in showing areas into which a species may be spreading.
Thanks for clearing that up.
Dorts.

Hi Dorts,

Johnathan is the lead on the London Biodiversity Partnership Mistletoe Species Action Plan. The foreign mistletoe was hsown to us at a group meeting at Kew. I believe he is also involved at a national level too.

Cheers,

Adam

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

Hi Dorts,
Johnathan is the lead on the London Biodiversity Partnership Mistletoe Species Action Plan. The foreign mistletoe was hsown to us at a group meeting at Kew. I believe he is also involved at a national level too.
Cheers,
Adam

Thanks for that Adam.
It is obvious he is far more than a casual observer!
It's great to have such excelent information on this fascinating species available to us here on WAB.
Dorts.