G4 Readwork W9 An Unlikely Parasite The Mistletoe

during the holidays many people hang mistleto over doorways people share kisses under this Evergreen plant it is a popular Christmas tradition but don't let the image of a romantic plant used during the happy times of the holidays fool you in the forests where they're from mistletoes can do some real damage let's take a look at how and why the mistleto plant is Evergreen this means it is leaves that remain green throughout the year it is also poisonous and has white berries and small yellow flowers the mistleto lives on other plants taking water and nutrients from those plants for this reason mlos are considered parasites the white berries of the mlos contain seeds some birds and mammals like to feed on these berries when they do the seeds May attach to the animal eating the berries the animal may carry the seeds to an another part of the tree or shrub they may also carry the seeds to another plant alog together the seeds start to grow roots that dig through the bark of the tree or shrub The Roots grow into the tissues of the plant they've taken over that's how mlto take nutrients and water away from the host plants mistleto can be hard to remove once it infects a plant the best way to fight off a mistletoe infestation is to cut off the infected Branch completely completely if a mistletoe takes over more parts of the plant it can start to weaken the plant and make it harder for it to grow as mistleto grow in the trees they become a thick mix of branches and Stems this big mass is sometimes called a witch's broom some animals nest in these witch's brooms these animals include chickies house rents and most Cooper Haws