Common Name: American Mistletoe
Scientific Name: Phoradendron serotinum
There is a lot to be said about Mistletoe, but the focus of this post is on Christmas and kissing. I like the sound of that- Christmas and kissing – sort of like Charles Schultz’s Lucy liking the sound of money being dropped in her cash box.
How did this come about, you wonder? So did I. 
A lot of interesting tidbits surfaced when researching this. As we know, Mistletoe is a hemiparasitic in that it is a green plant that photosynthesizes its own food while simultaneously getting water and nutrients from the host tree via thin root-like structures called haustoria.
Also birds are attracted to the white, sticky berries. My kids are getting really good at spotting it in the trees…this is new from last year.
To dissect the word takes the romance out of it, so I want to skip that part.
To get back to the romance, Mistletoe is reputed to have powers to increase human fertility. Bingo!
Kissing under the mistletoe is believed to have started with the Celtic notion that mistletoe improved fertility. I’m going to interject that most likely this was realized insitu – while the mistletoe was still in the tree and two young lovers met there and well, did a little more than kissing. I guess as traditions evolved and morals relaxed, why not bring it inside where it’s warm?
Merry Christmas and Kissmas to all!
