Revellers in Britain can kiss beneath the mistletoe safe in the knowledge
that the plant is thriving. Plant conservationists were worried that Viscum
album would decline because many of the orchards where it flourished have been
grubbed up in the past 20 years. But a new survey shows that mistletoe is as
abundant now as it was in 1970. “In the southeast of England, there actually
seems to be a lot more,” says Jonathan Briggs, author of the survey, published
jointly by Plantlife, a charity, and the Botanical Society of the British
Isles.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
We've found a mysterious substance on Titan and Pluto
2
A quantum state that lasts forever may finally be within our grasp
3
Faecal transplant makes the brains of old mice act young again
4
Has the answer to life's origins been hiding in our cells all along?
5
Remarkable fossils rewrite the story of how animals conquered the land
6
Most portable air conditioners suck – but there's an easy fix
7
Understanding anorexia’s grip on the brain could unlock new therapies
8
Why you need to future-proof your brain in middle age and how to start
9
Our brains have their first thoughts surprisingly early in life
10
Autism may have two distinct subtypes that vary by brain activity
