   Holiday Mistletoe Folklore - 12/24/03 Jeff Schalau, County Director, Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County Mistletoes are perennial flowering plants that are parasitic on aboveground portions of woody plants. They have specialized roots with the ability to penetrate a host plant and absorb nutrients. North central Arizona has an seven species of true mistletoes and eight species of dwarf mistletoe. True mistletoe (Phoradendron spp.) has green leaves and white berries and is found on a variety of hardwood species, junipers, and cypress. Dwarf mistletoes (Arceuthobium spp.) are leafless and can be yellow, orange, brown, or green. Dwarf mistletoes only affect needle-leafed conifers and are rarely noticed by casual observers. There are several other mistletoe species found around the world. Though most parts of a true mistletoe plant are toxic, the berries are eaten by birds. As they fly from tree to tree, the ingested seeds pass through the digestive tract and are expelled in fecal matter. This bird excrement lands on the branches of trees where birds perch. The mistletoe seeds can then germinate in a new place and penetrate the host plant. The origin of the word "mistletoe" appears to come from the Anglo-Saxon words "mistel" which means dung and "tan" for twig. Mistletoe literally means "dung-on-a-twig." Probably due to their parasitic nature, elusive method of dispersal, and strange growth habit, many cultures have revered, feared, or thought them to have magical properties. Mistletoes have had various meanings through history such as: symbols of fertility and romance; aphrodisiacs; bestowers of life; protectants against poisons, witches, or evil spirits; and even plants of peace under which opposing groups can make truces. One source said: the act of kissing under a sprig of mistletoe may date way back to the Greek festival of Saturnalia where it was believed to confer fertility. Druids also utilized mistletoe in sacrificial rituals that increased animal fertility. Exactly where the practice of kissing under the mistletoe started is uncertain, but I found some interesting references. A Scandinavian story referred to Balder, the son of the Norse goddess of love, Frigga who was killed by an arrow of mistletoe. Frigga's tears fell onto the mistletoe and turned into white berries. Frigga swore that mistletoe would never again be a source of death, but instead, should promote love: Anyone caught standing beneath the plant should receive a kiss. There is an old rule that governs kissing under mistletoe that is rarely followed by today’s practitioners. The rule says: a man might steal a kiss under the hanging mistletoe branch, but when he does, one berry must be plucked from the plant and discarded. Once the berries are gone, the kissing charm of the mistletoe branch is spent. Should this rule be updated to allow women to initiate the ritual? When I was a kid, I harvested mistletoe during the two-week Christmas vacation from school. I remember cruising the neighborhood on my bike to find the best mistletoe (with lots of berries), climbing the tree, hauling home my crop, tying red ribbons around little bunches, and selling it door-to-door and in front of the local market. At the time, I had no idea that I was selling parasites that originated in bird dung which caused grown-ups to kiss each other while concurrently increasing fertility and repelling evil. Being serious for a moment, I hope that you have a chance to slow the pace of your life, joyfully celebrate any and all holidays that may apply, and find ways to appreciate the short days and cool temperatures of winter. The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension has publications and information on gardening and pest control. If you have other gardening questions, call the Master Gardener line in the Cottonwood office at 646-9113 ext. 14 or E-mail us at mgardener@verdeonline.com and be sure to include your address and phone number. Find past Backyard Gardener columns or submit column ideas at the Backyard Gardener web site: http://ag.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/. |