Mistletoe & Folklore By The Prairie Nurse

Mistletoe & Folklore

Mistletoe History & Plant Information

 The Mistletoe is actually an evergreen plant that is well-known in Europe. The other name for it is called viscum album. The North America has another name for it besides Mistle Toe is phoradendron flavescens (that is a tongue twister). 

Interesting that Mistle Toe owes the birds a great thank you for it is them whom seed them. This is because the birds eat the berries and then their fertilizer (poo) on tree branches, thus germinates into the branch/tree. According to my research the it is considered a parasite plant stealing the nutrients of the tree. The trees it likes as a host is the oak trees, however any soft bark is their favorite to steal nutrients. However, this isn’t so for all the different types of Mistle Toe. is a very well-known evergreen plant it’s also called (viscum album) in Europe. In north America, the other name is phoradendron flavescens common type, Interesting, if it wasn’t for birds it wouldn’t be really growing due to birds eat the berries then their poo on the branches seeds and germinates. It is according to my research a parasite plant. It doesn’t grow from the ground & nutrients but from stealing nutrients from the host trees, especially the oak tree. 

However, this isn’t all accurate. There are other types of Mistle Toe species around the world and in Africa, in which they don’t take the nutrients. 

The kissing folklore comes from many directions and is mainly from the men of the Vikings. The story goes that they would advise the woman they liked and was single that it’s bad luck in love if they don’t kiss them under the mistletoe. Also, this comes from far older Mythology and that the berries looked to them as a sign of fertility. This was so because it represented to them human anatomy and the berries grew in the winter. Thus, fertility in their minds and hearts in the old world. 

In conclusion the Mistletoe is known to be poisonous, so keep away from humans and animals! The majority of everyone has the plastic fake version in their home. Does this mean we still have to kiss under the mistletoe if its a fake? 

There has been research and studies in Europe showing some possible aspects of health benefits. However, at this time it’s in extreme small dosing under scientist and doctors supervision which is not provided to anyone outside these studies. So, we will have to wait and see if the studies continues where it ends up for the future. This of course would mean the donations and funding continues to help this research. 

I will follow up with this research and see where it ends up. I am quite curious myself of the continued studies. 

I hope you have a great holiday and a wonderful new year! 

The Prairie Nurse