Whether you’re stealing a kiss beneath it or hanging a sprig in the doorway for good luck, mistletoe is one of the season’s most iconic holiday plants. Here’s everything you didn’t know you needed to know about this holiday classic.
What is Mistletoe?
The botanical name for mistletoe is Phoradendron, which means tree thief. While mistletoe is capable of performing photosynthesis, it more commonly grows as a parasite, sending roots down into a tree to leech nutrients away. A heavy infestation can kill or seriously damage a tree.
However, it is considered a keystone species: Studies have found that forests with a moderate amount of mistletoe are more ecologically healthy than those without. They provide abundant berries and nectar, nutritious leaves, secure nesting sites, and enriched leaf litter on the ground. This makes them an essential resource for many plants and animals in their environment.
Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe
So why is kissing associated with mistletoe? Because it is often green and grows and produces flowers and berries in the middle of winter, an ancient man saw it as a symbol of life and fertility.
There is also a Roman legend with Baldur, the son of the goddess Frigg, being shot by an arrow made of mistletoe. She vowed that it would never be used as a weapon again. When Baldur was resurrected, Frigg declared it a symbol of love and promised to kiss anyone walking beneath it.
Mistletoe in Virginia?
Mistletoe is found in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9. This means they are found in certain areas in Virginia—mainly swampy areas near the coast. It is also found in Europe and Mexico. It is spread by birds that eat the seeds and defecate on other trees—hence, it’s referred to by an interesting nickname. Mistel means “dung,” and tan means “twig.” So you could say it’s “Dung on a Twig.”
Fun Facts About Mistletoe
Hanging a sprig of mistletoe over your door this holiday season? Here are some interesting facts about this holiday staple.
- Most varieties produce a very sticky substance called viscin, which can enable the seeds to stick to the feathers or fur of an animal. This sticky substance can also enable a seed to glue itself to the bark or a branch of a suitable host tree.
- Because it can often be spread by the seeds in birds’ droppings, the word “mistletoe” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word for dung—Mistal—and the Anglo-Saxon word “tan,” meaning “twig.” So, mistletoe basically means “dung-on-a-twig.”
- Mistletoe flowers are a very rich source of both pollen and nectar for bees and other pollinators. Mistletoes are dioecious, meaning they have separate male and female plants. Only the female plants have berries.
- While mistletoe berries are highly toxic to humans and pets, they are an important food source for birds and other wildlife. As a matter of fact, several species of birds even prefer to make their nests in clumps of mistletoe. And it’s a host plant for several species of butterflies.
- There are over 1300 species of mistletoe worldwide, with over thirty native to the U.S. alone. Around 20 species are on the endangered species list, so when harvesting from the wild, be sure which species you are harvesting.
- In ancient times, mistletoe was featured strongly in European folklore. Norse mythology had the goddess Frigg’s son, Balder, killed by an arrow made from mistletoe. When he was resurrected, she proclaimed that mistletoe would never again be used to hurt anyone. It would be a symbol of love and friendship. The Celtic druids considered it to be a symbol of prosperity and fertility, and Scandinavians considered it a symbol of peace.
Celebrate the Season with Us
It’s the perfect time to pick up your Christmas trees, wreaths, poinsettias—and yes, your mistletoe! Stop by The Great Big Greenhouse and Nursery in Richmond for the best selection of seasonal favorites.