The European mistletoe (Viscum album L.): distribution, host range, biotic interactions, and management worldwide with special emphasis on Ukraine

Abstract

The hemiparasitic European mistletoe, Viscum album L. (Viscaceae), displays a rapid and remarkable expansion into natural and urban ecosystems in Ukraine. The monitoring and management of this quickly spreading species is becoming increasingly difficult as new plant species become hosts. Unlike other local mistletoe species, the European mistletoe has a broad distribution and thus requires a countrywide pest status assessment for control. This review outlines the major taxonomic and evolutionary issues pertinent to V. album with an emphasis on the characters used to distinguish its five currently recognized subspecies. The review also provides an updated distribution map and host range for the three V. album subspecies in Ukraine [V. album subsp. album, V. album subsp. abietis (Wiesb.) Janch., and V. album subsp. austriacum (Wiesb.) Vollm.], addressing the current knowledge of their biology and ecology. A significant portion of the paper is devoted to the diversity of organisms associated with V. album, including herbivores, endophytes, and parasites, drawing particular attention to major pollination and dispersal vectors, as well as potential biocontrol agents for this mistletoe species.