viscin

plant anatomy

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July 14, 2026

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Viscin is a clear, viscous, and tasteless substance derived from the mucilaginous sap of plants like mistletoe or holly. It is also known as birdlime when made from the berries of the European mistletoe. The term "viscin" originates from the French word "visc-," related to viscosity. Some plants, such as those in the genus Viscaria, are characterized by viscous stems and foliage. Viscose, a related term, refers to a viscous solution used in manufacturing rayon and cellulose films.1234

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orchid
Floral structure
…a clear, sticky substance (viscin) in masses called pollinia. Two basic kinds of pollinia exist: one has soft, mealy packets bound together to a viscin core by viscin threads and is called sectile; the other kind ranges from soft, mealy pollinia, through more compact masses, to hard, waxlike pollinia;…
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…a clear, sticky substance (viscin) in masses called pollinia. Two basic kinds of pollinia exist: one has soft, mealy packets bound together to a viscin core by viscin threads and is called sectile; the other kind ranges from soft, mealy pollinia, through more compact masses, to hard, waxlike pollinia;…
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