WAYS OF THE WILD.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 307, 28 December 1929, Page 1 (Supplement)

WAYS OF THE WILD.

A NATURALIST'S NOTEBOOK. ;j

MISTLETOES. j

(By A. T. PYCROFT.)

The nam© mistletoe is of ancient Saxon origin, and refers to a parasitic svergreen plant of Europe, Viscum Album, so named from the seed, which ii white, and when ripe is filled with a viscuous semi-transparent pulp, which is of use in the manufacture of bird lime. The European mistletoe forms an evergreen bush. It is parasitic both on deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs. In England it is most abundant on the apple tree. It is also found on poplars, willows, lime, mountain ash, maples, and many other trees. The . fruit is eaten by most frugivorous birds, particularly by the missel thrush, a large European thrush of a different species to the song thrush. Through the agency of these birds the plant is propagated, both by being dropped in a suitable position when .passed by the birds and by the bird wiping its beak, to which the seeds adhere, against the bark of the tree on which it has alighted. The viscid pul/p containing the seed soon hardens, and when germinated a sucker root penetrates the bark and a connection is with: the vascular tissue of the tree. The growth of J the plant- is slow and its durability proportionally great, its death 'being determinated .generally by that of the tree on which it has established itself. The mistletoe so extensively used in England at Christmas is largely derived from the apple orchards of Normanby; a quantity is also obtained from the apple orchards of Herefordshire. Important Part in Druidical Rites. These plants were in ancient times venerated because they were • supposed to be endowed with marvellous virtues and curative properties. Legends and fables relating to the mistletoe have been recited or alluded to by poets' and naturalists of many nations at several distant periods. It occurs in the writings of the ancient Greeks and Romans. In the early days of the British race it was held in high estimation, and those growing upon the oak were considered sacred and played an important part in the religious rites of the Druids. It was eo rarely found upon the oak that it was gathered with pomp and ceremony at one special period of the year, namely on the sixth day of the moon nearest to the commencement of the year. The mystic shrub, as a Christmas decoration for hall and cottage, is still gathered large quantities to gladden the hearts of those who love to keep a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. However much the ancient Britons may have venerated this plant, at least it must be owned that their descendants show a praiseworthy regard for time-honoured customs in duly claiming the privilege accorded under the mistletoe bough. Now Zealand Rich in Mistletoes. New Zealand possesses three genera and eleven species of mistletoes, and is very rich in such plants compared with ,Great Britain. In England there is only one such plant, the mistletoe Viscum album. Our mistletoes are partially parasitic, that is, they derive part of their carbonaceous food by robbing other plants. We find they have green stems and leaves, and are therefore capable of producing, in whole or in part, the necessary carbohydrates they require. They, however, derive from the host plant, that is, the plant on which they are growing, some of the requisite sap, and thereby greatly reduce the vitality of the host. The means by which the New Zealand species of Loranthus, from Loran, a thing, and Anthos, a flower, in allusion to the long narrow forms of the petals, obtains its nourishment, have not been closely observed. The berries of allLoranths are extremely attractive to birds. In the. case of the small flowered mistletoe as the seeds ripen they become whitish or slightly roseate, and finally assume a rich golden yellow hue. As soon as they are ripe \they aro greedily eaten by birds. Before the introduction of foreign birds they were eaten by the tui and bell bird, now it is the black birds and thrush that feed upon them. The seeds pass through the birds and adhere to the branches of trees, or are wiped from the bird's bills on to the trees. In the first stage towards development, says Mr. Prtts, the adherent seed may be seen lying on the fostering spray, quite, firmly fixed, covered over with a strong coating of transparent varnih, the indication of the future growth, a smooth green speck at the larger end of the seedi For some time no feeding stems are put forth. Long branches somewhat resembling Rhizomes of a polypodium are then produced, and follow the course of the branch of the host. •Sometimes even descending the trunk of the main tree. Where these stems cross each other they unite by contact. At different places they send out suckers into the tree, and at these points, rounded woolly lumps are formed, invested with dark-brown membraneous scales. The earlier leaves of the plant are strongly, tinged with reddish purple, some are of a pale bronze margined with claret and the branches are of a rich warm brown. Some years elapse before the plants assume the darker shades of green. Many Fine Flowered Plants. New Zealand possesses six species of the genus Loranthus. They arc all confined to this country. The world-wide genus Viscum is represented by three species. The genus Tupeia is limited to a single species which is confined to New Zealand. Its native name is Pirita. This mistletoe is found parasitic on many different plants; in the south most frequently on Nothopanax. In the north of Auckland it is chi'efly found on the Tarata, which is attacked almost exclusively. The flowers are of a greenish yellow hue. The berries aro beautiful and very varied in colour, ranging from white and pink to deep purple on the same branch. Those species belonging to the genus Elytranthe consist of many fine flowered plants, somo producing handsome and brilliant flowers in great abundance. One of the finest is found upon the beech, Notliofagus solandri. Laing and Blackwell state that no finer floral display can be seen in New Zealand than a gloomy forest bf beeches lit up by immense scarlet Elytranthe flowers glowing like jewels among the dark green leaves of the beech. It is seen perhaps at its best when one rows up some sluggish low--land stream through beech forest whose boughs brilliant with Elytranthe jpiaii flvgrfeead.