Mistletoe – Not as Pleasant as it Seems? Christmas traditions are numerous, from decorating trees and giving gifts to photo Christmas cards and hosting “Ugly Christmas Sweater” themed parties. The sweater parties and photo cards are perhaps some of the recent additions to modern holiday tradition; however, kissing under the mistletoe is a Christmas tradition that has been around longer than you might think. Not only is it an ancient custom, but there is another side to this plant that you might not be aware of. Kissing under the mistletoe first came about in Celtic and Norse cultures, according to landscape and garden writer, David Bealieu. Mistletoe was considered a sacred plant and was made into a symbol of love and peace in their mythology. It was also used for medicinal purposes. Later, the traditions surrounding mistletoe evolved and it was used alongside other evergreens at Christmastime to symbolize the spring regrowth of vegetation after a long winter. The word “mistletoe” actually means “dung on a twig”, aptly named after the observation that it grew on branches where birds left droppings. What a delightful bit of news, right? After putting the pieces together, it was discovered that mistletoe appeared in that manner because its seeds were a major source of food for birds. Did you know that mistletoe is actually semi-parasitic? The clumps of mistletoe you notice in deciduous trees throughout the year actually have root-like structures called “haustoria” that grow into the wood of host branches and spread into the vascular system. Mistletoe is capable of producing its own food, so sugars are not extracted. However, the plant does utilize water and minerals from the host tree which later results in dieback of the branch beyond the point of mistletoe attachment, according to Diseases and Trees of Shrubs by Sinclair and Lyon. The Oklahoma Historical Society lists mistletoe as Oklahoma’s first State Flower, later changed to the Oklahoma State Floral Emblem. Here is one more interesting fact: mistletoe is toxic. Be careful if you hang it in your home with children and pets if the berries are present, because they are poisonous if ingested. Birds appear to be the main type of wildlife that uses these berries as a food source. There you have it, the true story of the romantic, holiday plant known as mistletoe. It’s true that it does have its downsides, but I doubt anyone will ever remove it from its yuletide pedestal. Unless, of course, to replace it with pet-friendly, artificial foliage. .