Genus Viscum (Noun)
Meaning
Type genus of the Viscaceae: Old World evergreen shrubs parasitic on many trees including oaks but especially apple trees, poplars, aspens and cottonwoods.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- Viscum album, commonly known as European mistletoe, is a member of the genus Viscum.
- In some areas the leaves of genus Viscum cause considerable harm to trees as it gradually chokes its host plant to death.
- Historically, European and other traditional herbal medicine relied heavily on extracts of plants of genus Viscum, due to the bioactive content found in it.
- Old world trees which bear Viscum show thick irregularities where roots or main stalk of genus Viscum adhere tightly onto host.
- Since all genus Viscum types cannot tolerate open air the flowers eventually need their berries produced after reproduction occurs by plants at very bottom tree crotch on well-aged bark usually occurring below at higher trees tree crowns well camouflaged hidden branches lower leaves being attached without exposure up the more sunny spot inside canopy receiving dappled shade.