Here’s a puzzler. Some background first – in the USA the native mistletoes are very different to our European Viscum album and, in multiple ways, inferior in appearance (branching, leaf shape, berry size etc) to ours. The species used at Christmas over there are mostly from the mistletoe genus Phoradendron, which do at least have evergreen leaves and white berries, they’re just not as good-looking! (not to mention not being, actually, the genuine mistletoe of the kissing tradition – but no-one worries about that!).
It is very unusual to see real Viscum album in the US. Apart from in the few areas it has been introduced – e.g. Sonoma county in California, where it is thriving. Thriving too much and becoming a problem invasive species – so much so that growing the species is prohibited, without a licence, in federal legislation covering all states. Not surprising really – introducing non-native species can be quite problematic anywhere, but introducing non-natives that will parasitise natives is extra risky.
So what should I make of this video, a recent news story from KFVS News in Missouri, in which ‘Mistletoe Mark’, a Missouri Farmer, is shown selling what looks just like Viscum album. Not just selling it either but actively growing it.
Original link to news page is https://www.kfvs12.com/video/2025/12/11/missouri-farmer-keeps-mistletoe-tradition-alive-with-local-harvest/
Is that Viscum album in the video (I think it is) and is this being grown under federal licence (I’m guessing not!)? (note that the image in the still behind the presenter is not Viscum)
An intriguing example of what I suspect is more common than might be thought – I’m aware, for example, of many US mistletoe enthusiasts who would like to grow Viscum album, and I suspect there are multiple unofficial colonies across the states. There are a few in Canada too.
I’m pleased Mistletoe Mark is successful with his mistletoe – and is selling it for charity too – but am a little worried about the ecological implications if that really is Viscum album being actively propagated in Missouri…