What is mistletoe and where does it grow?
What is mistletoe and where does it grow? Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that grows on host trees such as hawthorn, poplar, lime, willow, blackthorn, and apple. Mistletoe generally prefers light and open spaces so you’ll find it in orchards, parkland, and gardens.
Does mistletoe harm trees?
This small evergreen shrub then steals necessary water and nutrients from its tree host. The mistletoe then continues to grow larger as it continues to damage the tree. Although mistletoe spreads slowly, when not stopped it can be harmful to trees. When a tree is infested with the plant, it can become stunted, less vigorous and even be killed if additional stressed from other environmental factors are present.
Is Mistletoe a fungus or parasite?
The mistletoe is both a parasite of its host plant and a mutualist of the birds that feed on its berries and disperse its seeds. These birds act both as seed-dispersers and as disease vectors. Dashed arrows indicate interactions in which most other parasites differ from mistletoes. One may also ask, is Mistletoe a fungus or parasite?
Is Mistletoe a parasitic plant?
Mistletoes are parasitic plants of the families Loranthaceae, Misodendraceae, and Santalaceae. The many species of mistletoe are slow-growing but persistent, and they are pests of many ornamental, timber, and crop trees. Some species are used as Christmas decorations.
Where does mistletoe tree grow?
American mistletoe is found from New Jersey to Florida and west through Texas. The dwarf mistletoe, much smaller than its kissing cousin, is found from central Canada and southeastern Alaska to Honduras and Hispaniola, but most species are found in western United States and Mexico.
What is so special about mistletoe?
The white berries of mistletoe plants are poisonous to humans but valuable food to many other species. Often used as a symbol of renewal because it stays green all winter, mistletoe is famed for its stolen-kisses power. But the plant also is important to wildlife, and it may have critical value for humans, too.
What is mistletoe made of?
European mistletoe has smooth-edged, oval, evergreen leaves borne in pairs along the woody stem, and waxy, white berries that it bears in clusters of two to six. The Eastern mistletoe of North America is similar, but has shorter, broader leaves and longer clusters of 10 or more berries.
Is mistletoe harmful to humans?
Mistletoe, the popular Christmas plant, is an evergreen with small white berries. Ingestion of small amounts of the berries, leaves, or stems may result in GI symptoms, including pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Rarely, large ingestions have resulted in seizures, hypertension, and even cardiac arrest.
Why is a mistletoe bad?
Mistletoe IS poisonous, although it is doubtful as to whether it will actually cause death. All parts of the plant are toxic (that's berries, stem and leaves). The Mistletoe plant contains Phoratoxin and Viscotoxin, which are both poisonous proteins when ingested.
What happens when you stand under a mistletoe?
Mistletoe makes its annual appearance each December as millions of Americans and Europeans hang a sprig of it in their doorways during the holiday season. According to custom, if you're caught standing under the mistletoe, you may get a kiss.
Is it illegal to pick mistletoe?
Mistletoe receives the same protection as all other wild plants in the UK through the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981, as amended). Therefore, it may not be uprooted Page 3 3 (which would include pulling down whole plants) without the permission of the landowner.
What happens if you don't kiss under the mistletoe?
We all know that standing under a sprig means getting a kiss, but did you also know that tradition claims “any woman under the mistletoe cannot refuse a kiss” and that “a single woman who is not kissed under the mistletoe will remain single for the next year?” Ugh, as if.
How does a tree get mistletoe?
Birds are responsible for spreading mistletoe by seed. They relish its white berries, which ripen in early winter. When birds feed on these berries, the seed inside the berry passes through the bird's digestive track surrounded by a sticky film that helps the seed stick to tree branches when it comes out the other end.
Can I eat mistletoe?
The Bottom Line. Until recent studies were published, the American mistletoe genus, Phoradendron, was widely considered to be extremely poisonous. Swallowing American mistletoe can cause symptoms such as gastrointestinal upset but is not likely to cause serious poisoning if small amounts are unintentionally swallowed.
What does mistletoe smell like?
Mistletoe doesn't have a scent. I'm sure we've all seen candles, soaps, mists, and air fresheners around the holidays that boast a mistletoe smell. But in reality, mistletoe doesn't really smell like anything.
Can mistletoe berries be eaten?
There are two main species of mistletoe, Viscum album (European or Common mistletoe) and Phoradendron (American or Oak mistletoe). Both contain a mix of toxic compounds in their stems, leaves and berries that, if ingested, can be harmful to humans and pets.
Is it illegal to pick mistletoe?
Mistletoe receives the same protection as all other wild plants in the UK through the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981, as amended). Therefore, it may not be uprooted Page 3 3 (which would include pulling down whole plants) without the permission of the landowner.
How much does mistletoe sell for?
Mistletoe. A single clump of mistletoe can grow to be 5 feet wide and weigh 50 pounds—that could lead to a lot of kissing! More importantly, with a wholesale market price of $10 per pound, a clump that size could bring in $500.
Is mistletoe a drug?
European mistletoe has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for a variety of conditions, including seizures, headaches, and menopause symptoms. Today, European mistletoe is promoted as a treatment for cancer. In Europe, European mistletoe extracts that are given by injection are sold as prescription drugs.
How long does real mistletoe last?
Mistletoe in the Bedroom And the pretty sprigs will last as a holiday decoration for a good two to three weeks.
What is mistletoe in apple trees?
Mistletoe in an apple tree. Mistletoe is the common name for obligate hemiparasitic plants in the order Santalales. They are attached to their host tree or shrub by a structure called the haustorium, through which they extract water and nutrients from the host plant. The name mistletoe originally referred to the species Viscum album ...
What is mistletoe in science?
Not to be confused with witch's broom, which is a growth of the host plant's own tissue, rather than a parasite in itself. Not to be confused with the Mistel, the translation of a composite aircraft.
How many species of mistletoe are there in Australia?
Subtropical and tropical climates have markedly more mistletoe species; Australia has 85, of which 71 are in Loranthaceae, and 14 in Santalaceae.
What is the common name for obligate hemiparasitic plants in the order Santalales?
Not to be confused with the Mistel, the translation of a composite aircraft. Mistletoe is the common name for obligate hemiparasitic plants in the order Santalales. They are attached to their host tree or shrub by a structure called the haustorium, through which they extract water and nutrients from the host plant.
How many berries does mistletoe have?
The Eastern mistletoe of North America is similar, but has shorter, broader leaves and longer clusters of 10 or more berries. The eastern mistletoe native to North America, ...
Why is mistletoe a symbol of peace?
Some versions of the story have mistletoe becoming a symbol of peace and friendship to compensate for its part in the murder. The Romans associated mistletoe with peace, love and understanding and hung it over doorways to protect the household. Hanging mistletoe was part of the Saturnalia festival.
Where does mistletoe come from?
The name mistletoe originally referred to the species Viscum album (European mistletoe, of the family Santalaceae in the order Santalales); it is the only species native to the British Isles and much of Europe. A separate species, Viscum cruciatum, occurs in Southwest Spain and Southern Portugal, as well as in Morocco in North Africa ...
What is mistletoe in trees?
Mistletoe in Trees. Mistletoe in trees steals nutrients and water from the host tree. The little shrub-like plant sends out root type organs, called haustoria, into the cambium of the tree and pirates the tree’s carbohydrate and moisture sources.
Where does mistletoe grow?
Image by Santje09. Mistletoe grows wild in many parts of Europe and North America. It is a parasitic plant that draws the host tree’s carbohydrates into itself. This activity can reduce the health of the particular branch to which the mistletoe is attached and minimize fruit yield.
How to get rid of mistletoe?
A non-toxic way to remove mistletoe is to simply prune it out. In order to prevent harm to the tree, you may want to use the services of a certified arborist. They know best how to remove large pieces of wood without adversely affecting the tree’s health.
Does cutting back mistletoe kill it?
It is easy to kill mistletoe growth, but the roots can be persistent and the plant may simply spring back. Simply cutting back the twigs and leaves will not kill mistletoe.
Can mistletoe be controlled with chemicals?
Controlling mistletoe with chemicals should be done by a professional and only in instances where other methods are not practical. Spring spraying of the growth regulator ethephon has been shown to have some effect.
Does mistletoe fall off trees?
Only some of the mistletoe will fall off, but the plant will slowly grow more. Trees are able to withstand most mistletoe infestations, so removal is not absolutely necessary. Promote good health in the tree by giving it plenty of supplemental water and fertilizing in spring. Printer Friendly Version.
What is mistletoe in a tree?
Mistletoe is a plant that grows parasitically on trees. Mistletoe can cause Witches’-broom, a symptom of a disease that results in clusters of weak shoots, in the host tree. One way to harvest mistletoe is to climb high in the tree to get the clusters; another way is to blast them out with a shotgun. How’s that for festive?
Where does the word "mistletoe" come from?
The word mistletoe comes from the Old English misteltan, with tan meaning “twig” and mistel meaning, well, “mistletoe.” (Middle English speakers apparently confused tan as the plural of ta, “toe,” which is how we ultimately get mistletoe ). As for the roots of mistel, that etymology is obscure, though the word has cousins in Germanic languages.
Why do we kiss under the mistletoe?
Historically, mistletoe represents romance, fertility, and vitality. Because nothing says love like bird feces and poison.
What does mistel mean?
Because mistletoe can be spread through birds’ feces, it is possible that mistel derives from an obsolete, Germanic-derived noun mix, meaning “dung, filth.”. So we can safely say this has nothing whatsoever to do with your toes. That plant you’re kissing under could be a … “dung-twig.”.
What is the dark side of mistletoe?
The dark side of the mistletoe. In Norse mythology, the plant plays a key part in a story with a violent conclusion; the god Balder is killed by his blind brother, Hoor , with, of all things, a mistletoe projectile. Some versions claim he came back to life, and his mother, Frigg, cried tears that turned into mistletoe berries and then declared ...
Where did kissing under the mistletoe originate?
The origin of kissing under the mistletoe is shrouded in uncertainty, but it is believed the ancient Greeks celebrated the winter holiday of Kronia—a lively festival and one of the biggest of the year—with mistletoe and may have started the tradition of kissing under it.
What is mistletoe plant?
Mistletoe (Viscum album) is a member of the Viscaceae plant family. European mistletoe (Viscum album) is harvested for its leaves, stems, and berries to make herbal extracts, teas, and injections. Health benefits that have been attributed to mistletoe include improving cardiovascular health, relieving stress and anxiety, ...
How many species of mistletoe are there?
Mistletoe is more than just a symbolic token of the winter holiday season. There are more than 1,300 identified species of mistletoe throughout the world, and European mistletoe has been used for centuries for its health benefits.
Why do we use mistletoe tinctures?
10 Humans have been using mistletoe tinctures for hundreds of years to help reduce inflammation both in and outside of the body. 11
Is mistletoe a prescription drug?
There are mistletoe dietary supplements and homeopathic remedies available at health food stores and online, but most scientific research has focused on injected forms of mistletoe that are not approved as prescription medications in the United States. Safety Tips for Nutritional Supplements.
Does mistletoe cause dizziness?
When used in the recommended amounts, mistletoe is rarely associated with side effects. Possible side effects—generally experienced when the dosage is too high—include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure or dizziness.
Does mistletoe help with anxiety?
Mistletoe may have actions that help calm anxiety. 1 Studies suggest that mistletoe can be effective for reducing depression and anxiety in cancer patients. 2
Does mistletoe interact with medications?
Mistletoe may interact with many medications, including anticoagulants, antidepressants, and medications used for treating heart disease or high blood pressure.
What is mistletoe in the wild?
Mistletoe is a familiar Christmas staple, soaked in folklore and midwinter tradition. But where does it grow and how can you find it in the wild?
Where is mistletoe found?
It's commonly found in Wales, the West Midlands and the South of England, with particularly large populations in Gwent, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Somerset.
What is a mistle thrush?
The aptly named mistle thrush is a fan of mistletoe berries.
How many species of mistletoe are there?
It grows on the branches of trees, pulling water and nutrients from its host, while its green leaves also photosynthesise. There are more than 900 species of mistletoe around the world.
Where do mistletoe marble moths pupate?
The larvae then emerge from the mines and pupate in a cocoon under bark or among lichens on the host tree. The mistletoe marble moth is a priority species for conservation in the UK. It is only found in six English counties, and populations are declining.
When is mistletoe easy to spot?
Mistletoe is easy to spot in winter when host trees have lost their leaves.
Do blackcaps eat mistletoe?
Berries, including those of mistletoe, are an essential part of their diet. On eating the white flesh of the mistletoe berry, the birds wipe their bills on twigs and branches, leaving behind the seed. If the seed is deposited on a host tree and manages to take hold, a mistletoe plant might germinate on the branch. It seems that blackcaps are more efficient at spreading mistletoe seeds than other birds, such as the mistle thrush, which also feed on the berries.
Dwarf mistletoes
Dwarf mistletoes are flowering plants that form shoots on the branches or stems of the host tree. Shoots are yellow, purple, brown or olive green with small scalelike leaves that are usually indistinguishable from the stems.
True mistletoes
True mistletoes differ from dwarf mistletoes in a number of ways. For starters, they are typically less damaging than dwarf mistletoes, which is likely a result of their hemiparasitic behavior. This means that they take water and inorganic nutrients from their hosts but make their own organic nutrients.
How long is mistletoe?
Mistletoe forms a drooping yellowish-green, evergreen bush, 2 to 3-feet long, on the branches of a host tree. Mistletoe has crowded, forking branches with 2-inch long oval to lance-shaped, leathery leaves arranged in pairs opposite of each other on the branch. The small flowers are yellower than the leaves and appear in late winter.
How long does it take for mistletoe to die?
Since mistletoe requires light, it will die within a couple of years.
What is the name of the plant that grows on oak trees?
Oak mistletoe ( Phoradendron leucarpum ), is the native plant found in the canopies of our trees. As the name suggests, oak mistletoe parasitizes oak trees; however, it can grow on up to 105 tree species including alder, birch, cottonwood, maple, hickory, and elm.
Is mistletoe evergreen?
It was once believed to have magical powers, as well as medicinal properties. Most mistletoes are evergreen, making them more visible and easier to locate after leaves of their deciduous hosts drop in late fall and winter.
Can mistletoe be removed from trees?
Healthy trees can tolerate small mistletoe infestations, but individual branches might be compromised and susceptible to wind or ice breakage. Simply removing mistletoe will provide some protection from spreading. However, if you remove only the mistletoe, it will probably regrow.
Does mistletoe have chlorophyll?
As a hemiparasite, mistletoe contains chlorophyll to make its food, but relies on its hosts for water and nutrients. Once a mistletoe seed germinates, a modified root penetrates the bark of the host tree to form a connection through which water and nutrients pass from host to parasite. Mistletoes are slow-growing but persistent.
What is mistletoe plant?
So, What is Mistletoe? Mistletoe is an evergreen plant that grows on both trees and plants. We call mistletoe a “parasite” because it draws away water and vital nutrients from its host, just like a leech takes water and nutrients away from an animal in the form of blood.
How does mistletoe affect trees?
Over time, mistletoe’s effects can be devastating: It causes branches to weaken and eventually die. Its roots burrow through bark, deep into the inner tissue, where they sap a tree’s strength, doing lots of damage if left unchecked. If mistletoe manages to spread far enough, it can even kill entire trees, if they’re subject to another stressor. That’s why it’s important that you remove mistletoe as soon as you can.
How long does it take for mistletoe to dry out?
First of all, it takes a week or two for the chemical to take action, at which point the mistletoe’s shoots dry out and fall away. Chemicals will also not get to the roots of the mistletoe. Finally, any chemicals you use will hurt the host tree. Definitely don’t use chemical spray any on a tree unless it’s dormant.
How does mistletoe spread?
Mistletoe also spreads easily — by wind, and by animals like birds and squirrels. If you’ve had it before, there’s a good chance it will grow on nearby trees in the future.
How to tell if mistletoe is on my tree?
You can recognize a mistletoe infestation from the appearance of green shoots wrapped like a coil around the trunk and branches of your trees.
Where does mistletoe grow?
Here in Texas, mistletoe grows on water oak, Spanish oak, elm, and hackberry trees, among others.
Can mistletoe be removed from Christmas trees?
Now that the Christmas season is over, it’s time to take down that mistletoe. Despite its ties with the holiday season, mistletoe can have serious consequences for the health of your trees. So if you find this parasite on your property, you should remove it right away.
Overview
Mistletoe is the common name for obligate hemiparasitic plants in the order Santalales. They are attached to their host tree or shrub by a structure called the haustorium, through which they extract water and nutrients from the host plant.
The name mistletoe originally referred to the species Viscum album (European mistletoe, of the family Santalaceae in the order Santalales); it is the only speci…
Etymology
The word 'mistletoe' derives from the older form 'mistle' adding the Old English word tān (twig). 'Mistle' is common Germanic (Old High German mistil, Middle High German mistel, Old English mistel, Old Norse mistil). Further etymology is uncertain, but may be related to the Germanic base for 'mash'.
Groups
Parasitism has evolved at least twelve times among the vascular plants. Molecular data show the mistletoe habit has evolved independently five times within the Santalales—first in the Misodendraceae, but also in the Loranthaceae and three times in the Santalaceae (in the former Santalalean families Eremolepidaceae and Viscaceae, and the tribe Amphorogyneae).
The largest family of mistletoes, the Loranthaceae, has 73 genera and over 900 species. Subtropi…
Life cycle
Mistletoe species grow on a wide range of host trees, some of which experience side effects including reduced growth, stunting, and loss of infested outer branches. A heavy infestation may also kill the host plant. Viscum album successfully parasitizes more than 200 tree and shrub species.
All mistletoe species are hemiparasites because they do perform some photosynthesis for some …
Toxicity
There are 1500 species of mistletoe, varying widely in toxicity to humans; the European mistletoe (Viscum album) is more toxic than the American mistletoe (Phoradendron serotinum), though concerns regarding toxicity are more prevalent in the US. The effects are not usually fatal. In parts of South Asia, they are frequently used as an external medicine. The active substances are Phoratoxin (in Phoradendron) and Tyramine (in Viscum) and their effects include blurred vision, di…
Ecological importance
Mistletoes are often considered pests that kill trees and devalue natural habitats, but some species have recently been recognized as ecological keystone species, organisms that have a disproportionately pervasive influence over their community. A broad array of animals depend on mistletoe for food, consuming the leaves and young shoots, transferring pollen between plants and dispersing the sticky seeds. In western North America their juicy berries are eaten and spread b…
Cultural references
Mistletoe is relevant to several cultures. Pagan cultures regarded the white berries as symbols of male fertility, with the seeds resembling semen. The Celts, particularly, saw mistletoe as the semen of Taranis, while the Ancient Greeks referred to mistletoe as "oak sperm". Also in Roman mythology, mistletoe was used by the hero Aeneas to reach the underworld.
See also
• Festive ecology
• Kissing bough
• Viscum album
Possible Side Effects
Dosage and Preparation
- Due to the potency of mistletoe, it is better to start with small amounts to reach the desired effect. Mistletoe is available at health food stores and online as a liquid extract, dried herb, and in pre-prepared tea bags. Follow all recommended dosages on the labels of commercially available mistletoe products. Dried mistletoe that is used to make tea is recommended at no more than 1…
What to Look For
- Follow all mistletoe product label instructions carefully, as only small doses are recommended to achieve effects. Only use European mistletoe. There are mistletoe dietary supplements and homeopathic remedies available at health food stores and online, but most scientific research has focused on injected forms of mistletoe that are not approved as prescription medications in the …
A Word from Verywell
- Mistletoe is more than just a symbolic token of the winter holiday season. There are more than 1,300 identified species of mistletoe throughout the world, and European mistletoe has been used for centuries for its health benefits. Scientific research backs up the anecdotal stories of positive health effects, but you should discuss any herbs and sup...