Mistletoe is recognized globally as a symbol of peace and affection, primarily sought out as a decoration during the winter holiday season. Its soft green leaves and waxy white berries are central to the tradition of kissing beneath the hanging sprig. People often wonder where this plant comes from and how to acquire it, which involves understanding both its commercial availability and its natural growth cycle.
Sourcing Mistletoe for Decoration
Mistletoe is most easily acquired through commercial channels, especially as the holiday season approaches. The majority sold for decorative purposes is already harvested, cut into small bundles, and often tied with a festive ribbon. These pre-packaged sprigs are widely available across various retail outlets.
Fresh-cut mistletoe is typically found at local florists, garden centers, and seasonal pop-up shops specializing in holiday greenery. Online retailers and large chain stores like Amazon and Walmart also offer both natural and artificial options. Most commercially available natural mistletoe in the United States is the American variety, often harvested in states like Oklahoma and Texas where it grows abundantly.
Availability peaks in the weeks leading up to Christmas, making it a temporary item on most store shelves. Buying from a reputable source ensures a fresh product that has been legally and sustainably harvested. Artificial versions are also a popular alternative, mimicking the look of the natural plant without the maintenance or toxicity concerns.
The Botanical Reality: Mistletoe’s Natural Habitat
Understanding where mistletoe grows naturally involves recognizing its classification as a hemiparasitic plant. This means it has chlorophyll and can photosynthesize for some food, but it must attach to a host tree to derive water and inorganic nutrients. Mistletoe attaches to a host branch using a specialized root-like structure called a haustorium, which penetrates the host’s tissue to tap into the water-conducting xylem.
The plant is commonly found growing high in the canopy of deciduous trees, making it noticeable in winter when the host tree loses its leaves. Specific host species vary regionally, but mistletoe often infects hardwoods such as oak, maple, apple, and sycamore trees. Mistletoe seeds are predominantly dispersed by birds, which consume the sticky berries and then deposit the seeds onto other branches.
The plant’s dependence on its host and its high growth location means that casual harvesting from the wild can be difficult or dangerous. While a single infection may not harm a vigorous tree, numerous infections can significantly stress the host, sometimes leading to the death of branches or the entire tree. The American mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum), the most common variety used for holiday decoration, is found throughout the eastern and southern United States.
Key Differences Between American and European Varieties
The term “mistletoe” encompasses different species globally, with the two most commonly encountered types being the American and European varieties. American mistletoe primarily belongs to the genus Phoradendron and is restricted to the Americas. This variety features shorter, broader leaves and clusters of ten or more berries.
The original “mistletoe” associated with ancient traditions is the European mistletoe, Viscum album, native to Europe and parts of Asia. Viscum album is visually distinct, characterized by smooth-edged, oval, evergreen leaves borne in pairs along the woody stem. Its waxy white berries typically grow in smaller clusters of two to six.
The two types also have different toxicity profiles, which is an important distinction for consumers. Phoradendron contains toxic proteins called phoratoxins, while Viscum album contains viscotoxins and mistletoe lectins. Although both are toxic, European mistletoe contains more potent compounds and has been associated with more severe poisoning cases than the American variety.
Safety Considerations and Toxicity
Mistletoe should be treated with caution, as all parts of the plant are toxic to humans and pets. The leaves often contain higher concentrations of toxic compounds than the berries. The primary toxic components are lectins and phoratoxins, which can interfere with protein synthesis and disrupt cell membranes. Ingestion of the American variety, Phoradendron, typically causes mild gastrointestinal upset, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
European mistletoe, Viscum album, contains viscotoxins that can lead to more serious symptoms in high doses, such as low blood pressure and a slowed heart rate. For pets like dogs and cats, consuming mistletoe can lead to drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. Large ingestions may rarely result in severe effects like low blood pressure or seizures. To ensure safety, hang decorative mistletoe well out of reach of children and household animals, and contact a poison control center or veterinarian immediately if any part of the plant is ingested.