Best time to see: all year

Key facts

A parasite on trees, mainly apples, limes and poplars, with a woody stem and sticky white berries

The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe may have derived from druidic rites or the belief that it increased fertility

The berries are poisonous in large doses, but the plant is used by herbalists to treat a number of disorders

Extras

Most obvious as a yellowish ball in trees in autumn after they have lost their leaves