Mistletoe is a unique plant with an interesting history. Mistletoe refers to any of more than 200 species of semi-parasitic shrubs found worldwide. Mistletoe lives throughout the southern United States, and on every continent except Antarctica.
The use of mistletoe during this holiday season to get a kiss, stems from England at least as early as the 1500’s. In 1520, William Irving wrote that a young man should pluck a berry each time he kisses a young girl beneath the mistletoe. When all the berries are plucked off the mistletoe, it no longer has romantic powers. A version of the tradition persists today in Christmas decorations but we don’t worry about any berries being present. As a matter of fact, it may be best to make sure the berries are not present because of their toxic qualities.
Mistletoe has an interesting story behind its name. Several hundred years ago, it was thought that the mistletoe plant was formed spontaneously from bird droppings. Of course no one thought to look inside the bird droppings for a concealed seed. However, due to this error, the plant was given the name mistletoe which translates literally in English to “dung-on-a-twig.” I think we should stick to the name mistletoe because “meet me under the dung-on-a-twig” doesn’t set the right mood.
Mistletoe’s distinctive green leaves, stems, and white berries–each with a sticky seed inside–are easily recognizable. As a small seedling, it roots into the bark and wood of a tree and makes a connection with the growing ring of the host. As a parasite, mistletoe steals water and nutrients from its host tree.
Rather than true roots, the plant has extensions called holdfasts that grip the host plant. With the holdfast the plants take what they want from the host plant.
Normally the effort to obtain water and minerals, or even space itself, is intense and highly competitive among most plants, but mistletoe does not encounter such problems. Tree limbs, a ready source of water and minerals for this unusual little plant, are available throughout the South.
Unlike poinsettias, mistletoe is poisonous. U.S. poison control centers do occasionally report cases of accidental poisoning of children or pets with mistletoe. Accidental ingestion of American mistletoe can be harmful, so keep the plants and decorations out of the reach of children and pets.
Although eating mistletoe berries may potentially be lethal for humans, birds seem to be immune to any toxicity.
Because of its parasitic nature, mistletoe can weaken or destroy the trees it infests, especially if the tree has been compromised by pests, storms, or old age. Removing mistletoe might, just might, help revive the tree.
If you chose to cut mistletoe of the tree, remove the roots by pruning the infested branch at least six inches below the spot where the mistletoe is attached. Unfortunately, pruning can damage the tree’s structure, making the cure worse than the problem. You can avoid climbing into trees by using a pruning pole. Be sure to take safety precautions when cutting branches out of trees, including wearing head and eye protection. After handling mistletoe plants, wash your hands thoroughly hot, soapy water.
