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 the real name for mistletoe?
Phoradendron serotinum
The plant of mistletoe has also been hung to keep away evil spirits. Scientific Name: Phoradendron serotinum (Raf.) M.C.
Why is it called a mistletoe?
The English word for the plant is derived from a defunct Anglo-Saxon dialect. Apparently, having noticed that mistletoe often sprouts from bird droppings on tree branches, the words for dung—“mistel”—and twig—“tan”— were conjoined, and the mashup “misteltan” evolved over time into “mistletoe.”
Is mistletoe a poop?
Ancient observations of the poop-on-a-stick origins of the plant led to its name “mistletoe,” or mistiltan in Old English, derived from the Anglo-Saxon words mistel, meaning “dung,” and tan, meaning “twig.” Mistletoe has been part of European winter traditions since long before the first Christmas.
What is the legend of mistletoe?
In the Norse culture, the Mistletoe plant was a sign of love and peace. The story goes that the goddess, Figg lost her son, the god Baldur, to an arrow made of mistletoe. After his death, she vowed that Mistletoe would kiss anyone who passed beneath so long as it was never again used as a weapon.
What happens if you don’t kiss under the mistletoe?
According to the tradition, it’s bad luck to refuse a kiss beneath the mistletoe. After the kiss, the couple is to pluck one of the berries from the plant. Once all the berries are gone, the bough no longer has the power to command kisses.
Is mistletoe White or red?
Another traditional Christmas plant is the holly, a shrub that has spiny, dark-green glossy leaves and (usually) red berries. The two are often featured together. and holly (Ilex aquifolium) with red berries….Kissing under the mistletoe, or is it holly?
Mistletoe (Viscum album, etc.) | Holly (Ilex aquifolium, etc.) | |
---|---|---|
Berries | White, nearly translucent | Red |
Is mistletoe an air plant?
Like many other bromeliads, these plants are epiphytes, or air plants. This indicates that they do not require soil to root in but can survive and thrive, hanging on branches of trees or other structures.
What color is a mistletoe?
Hardwood true mistletoes have thick green leaves that are nearly oval in shape, contrasting with conifer true mistletoes, which have small thin leaves or are nearly leafless. The small, sticky berries are white, pink or red and are ripe from October to January, depending on the species.
Why does mistletoe mean kiss?
In many tellings, Frigg declares the mistletoe to be a symbol of love after her son’s death and promises to kiss anyone who passed underneath it.
Who invented the mistletoe?
The consensus among experts is that the use of Mistletoe in ritual form started with the Celtic Druids. This ancient civilization of people lived on the British Isles in what is now Ireland and Scotland.
What are the rules of mistletoe?
Under a sprig of mistletoe, a man must kiss the nearest lady only on the cheek. Once the kissing is done, a berry must be removed from the mistletoe. When all of the berries are gone, the mistletoe has lost its kiss-compelling powers!
Is mistletoe good for cancer?
One of the greatest health benefits that mistletoe has is its effect on the immune system. One of the main reasons that mistletoe is so effective as a complimentary cancer treatment is its ability to bolster immunity and protect against further illness.
Does mistletoe harm 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. Overall, this doesn’t harm the tree a great deal unless there are many mistletoe plants on it.
Is mistletoe the state flower of Oklahoma?
The mistletoe is Oklahoma’s state floral emblem. PHOTO PROVIDED. For 114 years, Oklahoma’s state flower was the mistletoe. But it was always a controversial choice. In February 1893, while the 2nd Territorial Legislature met in Guthrie, Rep. John A. Wimberly introduced the bill to designate mistletoe as the official floral emblem.
How does the tradition of kissing under mistletoe started?
The plant could be considered a treatment for a variety of conditions, depending on the physician who was making the diagnosis. Kissing under the mistletoe was first noted in the early 1500’s, no doubt by a watchful parent keeping a sharp eye on their daughter. Not surprisingly, the custom caught on and has remained popular for centuries.