Mistletoe: Poison, Parasitism, and Pucker Power cover art

Mistletoe: Poison, Parasitism, and Pucker Power

Mistletoe: Poison, Parasitism, and Pucker Power

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 Provides an overview of mistletoe, highlighting both its botanical characteristics and cultural significance. It explains that mistletoe encompasses over a thousand species and is a hemiparasite, capable of photosynthesis while also extracting nutrients from host trees using structures called haustoria.
The passage discusses mistletoe’s toxicity to humans, contrasted with its role as food and habitat for birds and insects, and notes the sticky viscin that aids in seed dispersal, often via birds. It also covers unique biological traits, such as the explosive seed dispersal seen in some dwarf mistletoes, and traces the origins of the holiday kissing tradition to Norse mythology, Celtic beliefs, and historical customs.

You can listen and download our episodes for free on more than 10 different platforms:
https://linktr.ee/wild_wonders1

Produced by:
https://www.podcaistudio.com/
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.