A traditional Christmas holiday decoration is the Mistletoe (Phoradendron flavescens) which represented fertility, life, romance and peace. The Druids believed it would bring good health and luck. It was also used for medicinal purposes in treating several ailments. In reality mistletoe is a semi parasitic plant that makes its own food but thrives on other living plants for water and nutrients. Because it does not have a root system, it feeds on a host tree using root-like projections called haustoria. These projections penetrate the host tree and suck out water and nutrients, thereby earning the name “Vampire plant”. It can weaken and even kill a stressed tree.
There are over 1500 species worldwide but in the U.S., mistletoe is most prevalent in the southern states and grows on deciduous and evergreen trees. Much of it is harvested in Oklahoma and Texas for holiday decor.
Caution: All parts of the plants are poisonous. For safety reasons, the waxy white berries are replaced with fake berries. That’s probably why they hang it from doorways and ceilings; to keep it away from children and animals.
Now you know the real story: This innocent looking plant is quite sinister in nature.
source: U of Iowa
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