Mistletoe at Christmas

The mistletoe plant has been long associated with Christmastime and kissing. But oddly enough, the actual plant is parasitic and toxic.

It was once considered to have fertility magic. Mistletoe is seen as having both luck and fertility energy and couples would kiss under the mistletoe to ensure fertility.

Pagan cultures regarded the white berries as symbols of male fertility, with the seeds resembling semen. The Celts held this belief and the Ancient Greeks referred to mistletoe as "oak sperm." 

Mistletoe may have played an important role in Druidic mythology in the Ritual of Oak and Mistletoe. Evidence taken from bog bodies makes the Celtic use of mistletoe seem medicinal rather than ritual. The Romans associated mistletoe with peace, love and understanding and hung it over doorways to protect the household.

In the Christian era, mistletoe in the Western world became associated with Christmas as a decoration under which lovers are expected to kiss. It was also considered to be protection from witches and demons. 

The serving class of Victorian England - particularly men - is credited with perpetuating the kissing tradition that dictated that a man was allowed to kiss any woman standing underneath mistletoe, and that bad luck would befall any woman who refused the kiss.

Mistletoe in its parasitic role on a tree

Mistletoe species grow on a wide range of host trees, some of which experience side effects including reduced growth, stunting, and loss of infested outer branches. A heavy infestation may also kill the host plant. European mistletoe, Viscum album, successfully parasitizes more than 200 tree and shrub species

There are 1500 species of mistletoe, varying widely in toxicity to humans; the European mistletoe is more toxic than the American mistletoe (Phoradendron serotinum), though concerns regarding toxicity are more prevalent in the US. The effects are not usually fatal.