Viscum cruciatum, commonly known as red-berry mistletoe, is a hemiparasitic evergreen shrub native to various habitats including Mediterranean woodlands, scrub areas, and sometimes in orchards or on different host trees in Lebanon, Morocco, Israel, Palestine, Portugal, Spain, and Syria. It typically grows to a modest size, with small, oval to lance-shaped leaves and inconspicuous yellow-green, four-petaled flowers. The plant is most notable for its bright red berries, which appear in winter and contain one seed each. These berries are a key feature in the plant’s life cycle, as they are attractive to birds that eat them and subsequently disperse the seeds.

Red-berry mistletoe is often used as a Christmas decoration due to its festive-looking berries. In cultivation, it requires a host plant to grow on, as it derives some of its nutrients from its host through haustoria that penetrate the host’s tissue. It prefers sunny to partially shaded conditions and can tolerate a range of soil types, provided they are well-drained. While it is not commonly grown in gardens due to its parasitic nature, it can be of interest for creating wildlife-friendly gardens or for use in traditional holiday decor. Care should be taken as all parts of the plant, except for the berries, are toxic if ingested by humans.CC BY-SA 4.0