Mistletoe in the Rea Valley

-
From Kings Heath Park
Throughout the Rea Valley, Mistletoe can be seen at Kings Heath Park (Lime on Vicarage Road), Highbury Park (Poplar), Moor Green Lane (Robinia), near Holders Pavilion (Rowan) and within the grounds of St Edwards RC School at Greenlands Road (Poplar TBC), Selly Park; a Willow host on the banks of the Rea collapsed a couple of years ago, the cluster disappeared within days.

However the Flora for Birmingham and the Black Country,  suggests that "Atmospheric pollution possibly contributes to the scarcity of this species in B&BC....", although the plant is possibly under recorded, Mistletoe seems to be increasingly present throughout the Rea Valley,  the tree lined corridor may filter air pollution more effectively.  - this sprig was taken from a broken cluster at Kings Heath Park

1900 postcard
This cluster is on a Robinia at Moor Green Lane
Richard Mabey's Flora Britannica informs us that Mistletoe is one of the "last surviving remnants of plant magic" and there is a sense of titilation at this time of year whence a sprig of this plant is presented.

Its botanical name Viscum album suggests 'sticky and white' in reference to the berries.

The Mistletoe's rather odd winter-flourishing appearance is most noticeable when the tree leaves are absent, and although considered partly parasitic (hemiparasitic) on its host, the process of photosynthesis continues whilst the tree is dormant.

Structure and form (Wiki)
A festive occasion under the Mistletoe (Wiki)
There are a variety of host trees including Lime, Apple, Poplar and Rowan in our region, but up to 200 species have been reported (source unknown). The rarer oak mistletoe was greatly venerated by the ancient Celts and Germans and used as a ceremonial plant by early Europeans. The Greeks and earlier peoples thought that it had mystical powers and down through the centuries it became associated with many folklore customs.
outside the Mac at Cannon Hill



Comments

  1. Unknown23 December 2015 at 12:13

    Also on Lime sp. in Highbury Park!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Alf Dimmock25 December 2015 at 00:43

    Cheers Terry, I may be mistaken in saying Poplar

    ReplyDelete
  3. Alf Dimmock26 December 2015 at 23:43

    Dorothy Blore Our neighbour's apple tree is covered, the branches are touching our ancient apple but we have yet to have our own supply. Come on birds poop and wipe on my tree.
    Unlike · Reply · 1 · December 24 at 12:15pm
    Alf Dimmock
    Alf Dimmock what area Dot?
    Like · Reply · December 25 at 8:49am
    Dorothy Blore
    Dorothy Blore Watford Road Cotteridge. Can see 2 lots in a tree (poplar?) in Cotteridge park from our kitchen window.

    Alf Dimmock many thanks Dot- I'm making a list for EcoRecord

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Brockley Grove - then and now

-
Image
Holders Woods and Fields east of centre with Brockley Grove to the south, road and turning circle Article from Birmingham Forum website -  My old mum and I moved into a prefab on Brockley grove just off dog pool lane (dads lane) in moseley in about 1959 and my old mum thought it was heaven, it had a "fitted kitchen" i.e a built in washing machine, she'd always had to do her washing by hand before and in both bedrooms were "metal" fitted wardrobes. As it was detached, standing surounded with a nice little garden we both loved it. unfortunatly it' now been demolished and  Brockley grove is now unsign posted and is a dog walking area but I will always have very fond memories of mom's little "bungalow". This map shows the layout of the Brockley Grove prefabs
Read more

Do you know your Christmas Trees? (part 2)

-
Image
Fir at Cannon Hill Park possibly Abies grandis Winter 'evergreens', a suitable and seasonal distraction in terms of identification, providing a rather more challenging activity than the now fallen broad leaves, although having said that, a tree with no leaves is just as challenging when only buds and bark are at play. Also, the language of evergreens is somewhat different to that of broadleaves, in both biological terminology and description, providing a continual monologue through the year, with a voice that changes less hysterically than its broadleaf distant relatives. The other challenging difficulty of course is the weather, standing with a field guide and key on a cold day is not everyone's idea of fun. The subject trees related to in this passage are mainly those found locally either at the Cannon Hill Park Tree Trail or at the Highbury Park Pinetum and Highbury Estate.  All of the trees have been introduced with various planting schemes over the past 80 years or so,
Read more

New Trees - Woodland Wednesdays at Highbury

-
Image
Highbury Park and neighbours - wooded Wooded Highbury The term 'replete' has recently been used in reference to the wildlife provision at Highbury, and whilst the park can boast a healthy list of trees and bird life and perhaps reasonable opportunity for invertebrates, there is certainly room for enhancement and improvement in this regard. The park is jealously viewed and guarded by its regular visitors and protest quickly develops as changes occur - for example recently planted hedges were met with anxiety and vandalism, new desire lines are seen as trespass and the recently announced proposal to improve the tarmac surfacing for cyclists was greeted with the following- https://www.birminghambeheard.org.uk/place/bcr3-highbury-park-walking-and-cycling-route Consultation  Politics aside, if that's possible, an overview of the wooded fabric of the park would probably indicate a net loss of timber over the past 5 years due to ageing, and the need to 'mak
Read more