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Viscum

Viscum

9.9
Evergreen plants that grow on trees and take water and food from them
  • noun
  • /ˈvɪskəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Viscum
  • The berries of Viscum are an important food source for some birds.

Examples

  • Many people hang Viscum during the holiday season.

  • The Viscum plant is often found in oak trees.

  • Viscum is often used in traditional herbal medicine across Europe.

  • The botanist specialized in studying species within the Viscum genus.

  • The botanist specialized in studying species within the Viscum genus.

  • The berries of Viscum are an important food source for some birds.

  • Many people hang Viscum during the holiday season.

Compounds

8.9

A small plant that grows on other trees, known as the Christmas mistletoe

Surface Forms

Viscum singular
Viscums plural

Etymology

Viscum comes from an old Latin word viscum that meant 'mistletoe' and the sticky 'bird glue' made from its berries. That sticky image helps you remember why Viscum refers to the mistletoe shrub: its berries cling to branches and the plant grows on other trees.