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Arbor Day
Dale Bumpers College
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Mistletoe - A Traditional Holiday DecorationFew plants are as steeped in history and folklore as mistletoe. It’s a traditional holiday decoration, which incites people to kissing, and is often sold along with Christmas trees at many sites. Yet this semi-parasitic plant, common statewide, was first mentioned in the third century B.C. by Greek philosopher Theophrastis, and has a reputation almost worldwide. Mistletoe is a semi-parasite, depending on the host plant for all its water and mineral needs, yet it’s capable of producing part of its food needs through photosynthesis. Mistletoe is most common on oaks, elms and hickories. Mistletoe seeds form in the translucent pearly white fruits. The seed is wrapped in a sticky substance called viscin. Birds eat the berries and then the seed either passes, unaffected, through the bird’s system, or the birds will rub off the offending sticky substance from their beak onto the branch they’re perched on. Either way, the seed dries onto the branch protected by the viscin, which is strong enough to keep rain from washing the seed off the branch. In the spring, with warm weather and sunshine, the seeds germinate and grow. Once established, mistletoe can live for many years, or as long as its host. Mistletoe is more of a nuisance to trees, rarely causing damage. Although poisonous to humans, it’s actually an important food source for birds and deer. Throughout history, mistletoe has been given credit or held responsible for many different things. Our modern traditions have been credited to both the Celts and the Scandinavians. The Celts thought mistletoe was a divine plant, being "rooted," in the tops of trees and therefore closer to heaven. Mistletoe was seen as a symbol in the winter solstice as a green guarantee that spring would come. Sprigs of mistletoe were hung over doorways to ward off evil spirits and to indicate that past grievances and hatreds were forgotten. The Scandinavians believed that mistletoe was blessed by the goddess of love, and that men who met in battle under mistletoe, would stop fighting, kiss and make up. This has carried over somewhat in current tradition, where if you stand under the mistletoe you can be kissed once for each berry on the mistletoe--boys and girls alike. As Christianity evolved, mistletoe gradually became incorporated into the traditional Christmas celebration. A Christian tale of mistletoe, claims that the mistletoe plant was once a large forest tree. When Jesus was crucified, the mistletoe tree was the only species that would allow its wood to be used for the making of the cross. In retribution, it was condemned to be a lowly parasite on other trees. Mistletoe was also sacred to the Ainos of Japan, certain tribes in Africa and in Australia. Although poisonous, many cultures have used mistletoe for medicinal purposes. Because mistletoe is able to bear fruit in the winter, when most plants are resting, many cultures came to associate it with fertility. Chopped leaves were spread on fields to ensure a good crop, and a sprig was placed in a couple’s bed to encourage conception. Through time it became known as the all-healer, with claims that it could protect against witchcraft, nightmares, evil spirits, and even warded off death. Mistletoe is as much a part of the holiday traditions as poinsettias and holly. To our ancestors, the special characteristics of this plant, endowed it with mystical powers, and for plant scientists throughout the ages, mistletoe aroused wonder and curiosity. By: Janet B. Carson, Extension Horticulture Specialist |
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University of Arkansas • Division of Agriculture |
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