Mistletoe

The holiday season is filled with many interesting traditions and customs involving plants. One of the more bizarre such traditions is the placement of mistletoe in strategic parts of the home with the hope of receiving a kiss from a favorite someone underneath its "magical spell." What is mistletoe and how did it become associated with this festive time of the year?

The common name mistletoe can be applied to any one of hundreds of plants belonging to the Loranthaceae or Viscaceae families. The name is derived from the ancient belief that this plant arose at will from the droppings of birds. Ancient people did not associate the fact that life can only come from pre-existing life, but thought that plants (and lower forms of animal life) could arise at random. For example, it was a common belief in that era that flies could spring up from materials such as compost or manure. Such was their belief concerning mistletoe. The name mistletoe is derived from the Anglo-Saxon words "mistrel," meaning "dung," and "tan," which means "twig." Literally interpreted, the word mistletoe means "dung-on-a-twig."

Botanically, mistletoe is interesting in that it is classified as a "hemiparasite" or partially parasitic plant. It can grow on the branches or trunk of a tree as a true parasite or it is capable of growing on its own and manufacturing food through the process of photosynthesis, like other plants. The seeds of mistletoe are sticky and readily adhere to the twigs of trees or pass through the digestive system of birds and are excreted with their dropping. Upon germination, mistletoe produces root-like structures called haustoria, which penetrate the bark and wood of the host and take up nutrients. These haustoria gradually grow up and down the affected tree limb within the wood; if the visible part of mistletoe is removed from an infected tree, new growth emerges from the haustoria. Older mistletoe plants may be several feet in diameter; multiple infestations can adversely affect tree growth by shading its leaves and robbing it of nutrients.

The mistletoe commonly used in Holiday decoration in the United States goes by the scientific name Phoradendron flavescens. It is native to our country and grows as a parasite on trees such as apple, poplar, linden and (rarely) oak. American mistletoe is commercially harvested in New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma, where it is the state flower. Viscum album is a species of mistletoe common to Europe. It grows as small shrub producing yellow flowers followed by white berries and is the species commonly associated with European customs. Both are considered poisonous because of toxic proteins (amines) found in all parts of the plant including its berries. Mistletoe used for holiday decoration should be kept out of the reach of children and pets.

For centuries, mistletoe has been one of the most mysterious, magical and sacred of plants in European folklore. It was thought to bestow life and fertility, protect against poisons and act as an aphrodisiac. In the Middle Ages, branches of mistletoe were hung from the ceiling of homes to ward off evil spirits and to prevent the entrance of witches. The Druids used sacred mistletoe derived from oak trees in pagan rituals associated with animal sacrifices. It was gathered at both the midsummer and winter solstices by Druid priests using golden sickles and used to adorn the sacrifice of two white oxen. The custom of using mistletoe to decorate homes around Christmas likely is a remnant of this pre-Christian ritual. The early Christian church banned the use of mistletoe as being pagan in nature and substituted the use of holly as a plant for Christmas greenery. Thus, another plant-related holiday tradition was born.

The tradition of exchanging a kiss under mistletoe is of uncertain origin but probably evolved over time and spans several cultures. Just as the Druids considered mistletoe to be a sacred symbol of peace and harmony, so tradition has it that if two enemies met under a tree bearing mistletoe they would lay down weapons, exchange greetings and observe a truce until the following day. This same practice spilled over to Scandinavia, where mistletoe was used to make a truce between warring parties (or quarrelsome spouses). This practice can be traced back to the legend of the Norse god Balder who was killed by his blind brother Hoder with an arrow whose tip was made of mistletoe. Balder’s mother, Frigga, restored her son and it was believed the tears she shed turned into the pearly white berries of the mistletoe. The story ultimately ends when Frigga decreed that everyone who might ever stand under the mistletoe should not be harmed but offered a kiss as a token of love.

In 18th century England, mistletoe was fashioned into an orb or ball and brightly adorned with ornaments, ribbons and evergreens. Tradition has it that a young lady standing under a ball of mistletoe could not refuse to be kissed and that such a kiss would lead to lasting friendship (or even serious romance). If a girl remained unkissed under mistletoe, she could not expect to marry during the ensuing year. In some parts of England it was tradition to burn the mistletoe used during celebrations on the twelfth night of Christmas, lest the young men and women who kissed underneath it would never marry.

Today, mistletoe is a curious, nostalgic part of holiday decoration. It has enduring popularity is perpetuated in part by its mention in several popular songs associated with the holidays and its frequent appearance on greeting cards and other holiday paraphernalia. Although few if any Americans rely on its powers to guard against witchcraft or protect from poisons, a goodly number still adorn their homes with this plant each December with the hope of being rewarded with a kiss from a special someone.

David Trinklein, Department of Horticulture, UMC (573) 882-9631