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Mistletoe: The Other Evergreen
by Tim Herd of Nature Newswatch
The aroma and romance of a live Christmas tree in the living room never fails
to bring people close together during the holidays. There is another live
evergreen, however, that we also traditionally bring indoors during Yuletide
that beats the pines, spruces and firs hands-down for drawing people close to
each other. Whether this function is considered by botanists as part of the
plant's ecological niche is debatable. But its effect on humans is certainly
enchanting, generally endearing, and occasionally enduring. The plant is the
tiny sprig of gray-green leaves and white berries suspended over our heads
called mistletoe.
Mistletoe Facts
Tree Thief. Mistletoe is semi-parasitic. It draws nourishment through
root-like hairs it sends through the bark and into the sapwood of a tree. But it
also produces some of its own food from sunlight from chlorophyll in its
gray-green leaves. Its scientific name, phoradendron, is derived from the Greek
phor (thief) and dendron (tree).
Poison berries. Although relished by birds, mistletoe berries are
poisonous to people. They contain certain toxic chemicals which cause acute
stomach and intestinal irritation with diarrhea and slow pulse. In contrast,
other parts of the plant have been used in old home remedies that reportedly
raise the blood pressure. Illnesses that require such a prescription, however,
should be treated by a doctor, not home remedies. "Safe" increases in blood
pressure can be obtained without ingesting mistletoe, by simply putting it to
its more traditional use.
Real vs. Plastic. Mistletoe thrives in the south-central and southeastern United States. Purchasing a sprig imported from where it grows abundantly is fine, or you can obtain the plastic alternative, which, although possibly safer for children, may cost you an embrace with someone who knows the difference between phoradendron and polyethylene!
About the author: Naturalist Tim Herd is the founder and Director Emeritus of "The Roving Nature Center", America's first fully mobile environmental education center, and has developed its award-winning environmental education programs. Tim is also the writer, producer and on-camera naturalist host of the 60-second TV broadcast vignette series "Nature Newswatch", originating from all of North America’s wild outdoors. He holds a B.S. degree in meteorology and is the author of the book:
Discover Nature in the Weather: Things to Know and Things to Do (Stackpole Books)."Nature Newswatch" is written by Tim Hurd and is produced by nature Newswatch Wildlife Almanac Productions.