Birds to thank for peck under mistletoe

GETTING a kiss from a loved one under a sprig of mistletoe is one of our most endearing Christmas traditions whether that's a peck on the cheek from Granny, or a grumpy kiss under duress (and the threat of no Christmas presents") from my teenage kids.

- JENNY BENNION

But what even is mistletoe, where does it grow and why do we kiss underneath it?

In contrast to its romantic associations, mistletoe is in fact a parasite.

It grows on the branches of trees and gets its water and some of its nutrients from the branch it is growing on.

However, it does make some of its food through photosynthesis from its evergreen leaves.

Whilst mistletoe is evergreen and present year round, it is associated with winter as this is the time of year it can be easily spotted, simply because the trees it is growing on have lost their leaves so the bright green balls of mistletoe stand out.