About Mistletoe Plants
The tradition of the mistletoe dates back to ancient history and across many
cultures. In general, it is a sign of peace, goodwill and love. From England
to Australia and New Zealand, all across Europe and over to Iran, and no
less an important tradition in the U.S. and Canada. From as long ago as ancient
druid tradition, the mistletoe was seen as a sign of peace and goodwill.
Warring tribes chancing across it stopped their battles observed a temporary
truce. It was displayed as a sign of truce and peace. Some cultures believed
it to guard against witch craft. Other cultures used it in the practice of
medicine for a variety of illnesses.
The value of Mistletoe in ancient times and tradition carried a broad enough
array of benefit, applications, and value. But, the most important of traditions
is in the world of love and fertility. Gentlemen, exhibit extreme caution!
In some cultures, most notably in Europe, if you kiss a woman under a mistletoe,
it is a proposal of marriage! In many parts of the world, the tradition is
much less extreme and shall we say, long lasting? According to most current
day traditions, a young woman simply stands under the mistletoe and awaits
her lover's kiss. Heaven help the young beau that does not take a hint. Hey
guys, in the U.S. it's all right to reverse roles. So if you haven't had
a kiss in a while.......
Oh, and one more thought. While you are having a jolly old time under the
mistletoe, the proper procedure is to take a berry off the sprig every time
you kiss. When the berries are gone, so are the kisses. So, make sure to
make those kisses last.
Important: The leaves of mistletoe are poisonous. If there are little
ones in the family, you may want to opt for the artificial just for a few
years for safety sake.
Did you know? This symbol of love has long and deep traditional roots.
But, do you know where those roots grow? Mistletoe is a parasite. It is a
plant that lives on trees. It has thick, leathery leaves with white berries.
Mistletoe plants can be found almost anywhere in the world. There are two
major varieties. A North American variety and a European type. It is
a parasite, living on a variety of trees and shrubs. Mistletoe sends
its roots under the host trees' bark where it taps into the trees'
nutrients.While Mistletoe is a parasite, it can live as a plant in soil.
Mistletoe seeds are spread by birds who carry seeds stuck on their feet or
beaks, and who deposit it in their droppings across a forest. Mistletoe can
spread so much across a tree that it can weaken, or even kill it's host.
Harvesting Mistletoe can be simple or problematic. If you are lucky enough
to find it on a low growing shrub, you can easily pick it off, and head home.
But, most mistletoe is high up in the trees. For sprigs out of reach of a
ladder, people resort to shooting it down! Along the way, many of the intended
"targets" get too shot up to use.
More Information:
Holiday Insights
for Christmas fun and tradition.
Kissing Under the
Mistletoe One of our favorites. We are really romantics on this site!
Kissing Under the
Mistletoe Another similar version.
Mistletoe: Friend
or Foe Okay, while this site doesn't speak too much to the romantic side,
it covers the whole subject of Mistletoe well.
Mistletoe from
Family Gardening Here is yet another good source of information sure
to make you a true Mistletoe expert.
Other :
Grow indoor houseplants from seed. Try growing some indoors from
seed during the long winter months. Or put some in a gardener's stocking
this
Christmas. Buy Seeds Now
TGN Flowers
On-line A wide variety of beautiful, quality, Christmas
floral arrangements for him or for her at great prices and speedy delivery.
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