A kiss and tell
nicholas yong Straits Times 14 May 11;
Most people will have heard of the Christmas tradition of couples kissing under a sprig of mistletoe.
But in ancient times, mistletoe - with its leathery, bright green leaves and colourful berries - was also thought to have medicinal and magical properties, and was often hung from doorways to bring good luck.
The semi-parasitic plant has even played a key role in mythology: It was the only thing that could harm the Norse god Baldur, and eventually caused his death.
But with 1,500 species globally, it is not just confined to the Western world.
Nature lover Francis Lim, 55, says: 'Singapore used to boast 16 species of mistletoe, but today, only eight species remain as the rest are extinct locally. Two of the eight are known to be critically endangered.'
The former curator at the Singapore Zoo, and now retired, ought to know - he has amassed a collection of more than 100 mistletoe plant samples, including roots, leaves, flowers and fruit.
Many samples have been pressed and dried, then placed in old picture frames bought from the thrift shop of a church he attends. Others are stored between bubblewrap in plastic bags in an old suitcase to preserve them.
Branches and other plant parts also hang on the walls of his Yishun five- room flat, with little handwritten labels identifying the species.
'I go mistletoe-spotting with my binoculars in wild places, parks and friends' gardens. Sometimes, they are quite hard to find because they are right on top of trees,' says Mr Lim.
The father of three has been collecting the samples for four years, going as far afield as Sungei Buloh and even off-shore islands such as St John's.
Collecting, framing and storing the samples has cost him less than $250.
One of his favourites is a framed sample of the rarely seen leafless mistletoe, which he collected on Lazarus Island. The amateur botanist had to stand on his bicycle and climb a tree to harvest it, almost falling in the process.
But despite risking life and limb, some mistletoe species have remained beyond his reach. Scurrula parasitica, or the rusty-leafed mistletoe, is the other critically endangered species here and is found only on Pulau Tekong.
The island is being used by the Singapore Armed Forces as a training base and is closed to civilians.
Mr Lim, who spent 36 years with the zoo, has very particular tastes in flora and fauna - he has penned a book about reptiles. But he says it is 'hard to explain' his fascination with mistletoe. 'I was interested in snakes because no one else was. I started reading, then branched out to other reptiles. So with mistletoe, I see it as a platform to branch out and find out about other plants.'
He has also written a book about mistletoe, analysing the biological and cultural role of the plant. It will be his fifth book - following other books about his experiences at the zoo - and is set to be released by Select Books in October. Further details on it are unavailable at this stage.
He says: 'My desire is to bring about an awareness and appreciation for this group of remarkable plants.
'When people find mistletoe in their garden, they often try to destroy it. But I would like to give another angle to that view.'
He hopes to use his collection for a roving exhibition which he can take to events and schools. In the meantime, the collection continues to grow.
'I am running out of space. I may need another suitcase soon.'
