Viscum album is a species of mistletoe in the family, Santalaceae, commonly known as European mistletoe, common mistletoe or simply as mistletoe (Old English mistletoe ). It is native to Europe and western and southern Asia. Viscum album is a hemiparasite on several species of trees, from which it draws water and nutrients. It has a significant role in European mythology, legends, and customs. In modern times, it is commonly featured in Christmas decoration and symbology. ( V. album is found only rarely in North America, nor an introduced species; its cultural roles are usually fulfilled by the similar native species Phoradendrom leucarpum.) It is a hemi-parasitic shrub, which grows on the stems of other trees. It has stems 30–100 centimeters long with dichotomous branching. The leaves are in opposite pairs, strap-shaped, entire, leathery textured, 2–8 centimeters long, 0.8–2.5 centimeters wide and are a yellowish-green in color. This species is dioecious and the insect-pollinated flowers are inconspicuous, yellowish-green, 2–3 millimeters in diameter. The fruit is a white or yellow berry containing one (very rarely several) seed embedded in the very sticky, glutinous fruit pulp. It is commonly found in the crowns of broad-leaved trees, particularly apple, lime (linden), hawthorn and popular .