WILD PLANT OF THE WEEK: Mistletoe.

Commonly sighted at Christmas parties at this time of year, mistletoe can also be seen growing in dense clumps, high up in the branches of trees particularly in orchards and in species like poplar and lime. 

It had a reputation as a magical plant long before Christianity came to the British Isles, however - most famously as a plant favoured by druids whose reverence during the winter solstice was described by Pliny and Caesar. 

• Mistletoe fact page on the Plantlife website
• How to grow your own mistletoe