The Magic of Mistletoe

By Joanne K., Extension Master Gardener Volunteer, Pitt County Arboretum

In late fall after the leaves have fallen from most trees, passersby may wonder what are those bright green orbs floating high in the treetops throughout our neighborhoods. As Eastern North Carolinians know, these balls are our native mistletoe, a favorite plant in Christmas decorations.

American mistletoe grows from New Jersey to Florida and west through Texas in deciduous trees. The dwarf mistletoe grows in the western U.S. and Mexico in certain western junipers and pines. Mistletoe is harvested commercially in New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma.

American mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum)

American mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum) is a native evergreen shrub with greenish branches. The shrub grows as a parasite on tree limbs. Its vibrant green branches and leaves make it look very much alive in winter when many other shrubs are bare.

Its inconspicuous yellow flowers and white berries are loved by birds, butterflies, and other pollinators. However, the berries are poisonous to humans, cats, dogs, and horses, but only if eaten in large quantities.

The mistletoe berry is very sticky, and thanks to the birds, either through their droppings or the wiping of their beaks on branches, the seeds stick and spread through the treetops.

Mistletoe has a long history in folklore. In a Norse legend, Balder, the son of Frigga, the goddess of love, is killed by an arrow fashioned from a mistletoe sprig. Frigga's tears fell on the mistletoe, turning her tears into white berries.

Frigga decreed that mistletoe should never cause harm again and should only be used to promote love and peace. This led to the practice where enemies meeting under mistletoe had to disarm, exchange a kiss of peace, and call a truce for the day.

Ancient Greeks thought the mistletoe had healing properties, using it as a remedy for various disorders, as well as an aphrodisiac.

The Druids thought mistletoe was a sacred plant because it doesn't grow from roots in the ground. The Druids wore mistletoe for good luck and protection from evil spirits. Mistletoe over a doorway allowed only happiness to enter the house.

In the 1700s in northern Europe, kissing balls with mistletoe hung in doorways. A single lady giving a kiss under the mistletoe increased her chances of marriage.

In England, young girls placed a mistletoe leaf under their pillows to dream about the man they wanted to marry.

In a tradition familiar to Eastern North Carolinians, the Swiss shot mistletoe out of the trees with an arrow.

Photosynthesis provides food for mistletoe, but water and minerals come from the host tree.

While the slow-growing mistletoe won't kill a healthy tree, a heavy infestation of it can harm a tree weakened by pests, storms, or old age. The infected tree then becomes more susceptible to other tree pests and diseases.

If you want to rid your tree of mistletoe, you must prune the infected branches in winter. Cutting off the plant does not destroy the parasite that is the harmful pest.

When hanging mistletoe over the holidays, be careful to keep the plant and its poisonous berries out of the reach of children and pets.

Also avoid hanging it above any heat-producing source, which will cause it to dry out much faster and become a fire hazard.

Google 'mistletoe lore' for more of the legends about this fascinating ancient plant.

Photos are from the NCSU plant toolbox.
1. mistletoe_031110_LIT_j2u5NyxjcdwH  
Fall Tree
Jim Robbins 
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

2. Phoradendron_leucarp_SnCegNDnRhzu.jpeg
Leaves and Flower
Mary Keim
CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

3. Phoradendron_leucarp_ukWXqjzH3XLU
Leaves
Loadmaster (David R. Tribble)
CC BY-SA 3.0