Mistletoe

miz"l-to, small shrubs, parasitic on the branches of trees. The common mistletoe of England has opposite, fleshy, pale evergreen leaves, and currant-like white berries. It grows chiefly on orchard trees and forest trees, and, contrary to popular belief, seldom on the oak. In Brittany and Normandy the mistletoe saps the strength of the apple trees. It is gathered in quantity for the London market. Mistletoe is a traditional Christmas decoration held in respect and favor from the time of the Druids. Scott, in describing preparations for Christmas festivities, says:

The American mistletoe is a different, but similar plant growing on deciduous trees, especially the tupelo, poplar, and red maple, from New Jersey, southern Indiana, and east Kansas to the Gulf. Our Eastern cities import English mistletoe. It is brought over by express. The West is more dependent on Southern mistletoe. It must be shipped with as much care as apples to prevent loss by freezing. Six species known as mistletoes are found on the Pacific coast from Vancouver southward.

There is an old tradition, long current in England, that the mistletoe was once a fair tree in the forest; that from its wood was made the cross upon which Christ was crucified. In consequence of its having been put to such a use the mistletoe was cursed and thenceforth lived as an insignificant plant. In Scandinavian legend the arrow that slew Baldur was made from the mistletoe, but at the time it was no tree, but so small a plant that Baldur's mother thought it unnecessary to take an oath from it when she made all things swear not to hurt Baldur. It is impossible to determine whether the English legend that the cross was of mistletoe had its origin in the old tale of Baldur or whether the use of the mistletoe in the Scandinavian story grew out of the other legend. The latter is perhaps more probable, as the mistletoe does not grow in Iceland and only in a few places in Norway, while it is a common plant in England.