Mistletoe facts

Mistletoe is a plant that has been associated with Christmas for hundreds of years. I thought it would be interesting to explore its history, culture and seasonal significance.

Mistletoe is actually a plant parasite, meaning it derives some of its nutrients from a host plant. Mistletoes attach to and penetrate the branches of trees and shrubs through a specialized “root” structure, through which they absorb water and nutrients from the host plant. Typical host plants are shrubs and deciduous hardwood trees such as pecan, oak, maple, cottonwood, apple, eucalyptus and scores of others.

Mistletoe plants, as they grow on their many host plants, commonly reduce their growth and a large plant can kill the branch on which it is located. Heavy infestations can kill entire host plants. The leathery green leaves of the mistletoe plant contain chlorophyll, allowing it to manufacture some food of its own.

How does mistletoe spread? Mistletoe plants have flowers and thus produce seeds (berries). Most mistletoe is spread by birds that eat the berries. Although these berries are toxic to humans, birds seem immune to their toxic effects. Depending on the species of mistletoe and the species of bird, the seeds are regurgitated, excreted in their droppings, or stuck to the bill, from which the bird wipes it onto a nearby branch. A mistletoe berry will typically germinate on the branch of a host tree or shrub and continue its growth there.

Once a mistletoe plant has been established on a host, it is usually possible to save at least a portion of the valuable host branch by carefully pruning it out of the tree or shrub. Cut out infected limbs 12 inches or so below the point of infection. Removing the “root” is essential to control. Some species of mistletoe can regenerate if the top portions of the plant (the leaves) are removed but not all of the “root” is removed. If pruning a main branch is not an option, cut out the leafy top portion and wrap the cut with an opaque plastic to prevent sunlight from reaching the affected area.

Now for some interesting facts concerning the lore and lure of mistletoe.

* The tradition of hanging mistletoe in the home goes back to the time of the ancient Druids. It was said to possess mystical powers, which would ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune to the household.

* In Norse mythology, mistletoe was used as a sign of love and friendship. The custom of kissing underneath it comes from Victorian England. The original custom was that a man was allowed to kiss any woman standing underneath a mistletoe branch and that bad luck would befall any woman who refused the kiss.

* A variation of this tradition stated that with each kiss a berry was plucked from the sprig of mistletoe and the kissing had to stop once all the berries had been removed.

* When you are at the Atlanta airport and you see a mistletoe branch hanging up at the luggage collection area, you can automatically know the reason it is there-so you can kiss your luggage good-bye.

I hope you have enjoyed this brief look at the mistletoe plant and I trust you will enjoy any “under the mistletoe” encounters you may have this Christmas season.

Tim Lewis is a Georgia Green Industry Association certified plant professional, gardening writer, former Perry High School horticulture instructor and former horticulturalist at Henderson Village and Houston Springs. He and his wife, Susan, own and operate Lewis Farms Nursery located on Highway 26, two miles east of Elko, where he was born and raised. He can be reached at (478) 954-1507 or timlewis1@windstream.net and at LewisFarmsNursery.com.

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