Mistletoe

European mistletoe (Viscum album) attached to a common aspen (Populus tremula)

Mistletoe in an apple tree

Mistletoe is the English common name for most obligate hemiparasitic plants in the order Santalales. They are attached to their host tree or shrub by a structure called the haustorium, through which they extract water and nutrients from the host plant, their parasitic lifestyle have led to some dramatic changes in their metabolism.^[1]

The name mistletoe originally referred to the species Viscum album (European mistletoe, of the family Santalaceae in the order Santalales); it is the only species native to the British Isles and much of Europe. A separate species, Viscum cruciatum, occurs in Southwest Spain and Southern Portugal, as well as Morocco (North Africa) and southern Africa.^[2]

Over the centuries, the term has been broadened to include many other species of parasitic plants with similar habits, found in other parts of the world, that are classified in different genera and even families—such as the Misodendraceae and the Loranthaceae.

In particular, the eastern mistletoe native to North America, Phoradendron leucarpum, belongs to a distinct genus of the family Santalaceae; the genus Viscum is not native to North America, but Viscum album has been introduced to California.^[3] European mistletoe has smooth-edged, oval, evergreen leaves borne in pairs along the woody stem, and waxy, white berries that it bears in clusters of two to six; the Eastern mistletoe of North America is similar, but has shorter, broader leaves and longer clusters of 10 or more berries.

Etymology[edit]

The word 'mistletoe' derives from the older form 'mistle' adding the Old English word tān (twig). 'Mistle' is common Germanic (Old High German mistil, Middle High German mistel, Old English mistel, Old Norse mistil).^[4] Further etymology is uncertain, but may be related to the Germanic base for 'mash'.^[5]

Mistletoe groups[edit]

Parasitism has evolved at least 12 times among the vascular plants ^[6]. Molecular data show the mistletoe habit has evolved independently five times within the Santalales—first in the Misodendraceae, but also in the Loranthaceae and three times in the Santalaceae (in the former Santalalean families Eremolepidaceae and Viscaceae, and the tribe Amphorogyneae). ^[7]

The largest family of mistletoes, the Loranthaceae, has 73 genera and over 900 species.^[8] Subtropical and tropical climates have markedly more mistletoe species; Australia has 85, of which 71 are in Loranthaceae, and 14 in Santalaceae.^[9]

Life cycle[edit]

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. Viscum album successfully parasitizes more than 200 tree and shrub species.

Mistletoe in winter

All mistletoe species are hemiparasites, because they do perform at least a little photosynthesis for at least a short period of their life cycle. However, in some species its contribution is very nearly zero. For example, some species, such as Viscum minimum, that parasitize succulents, commonly species of Cactaceae or Euphorbiaceae, grow largely within the host plant, with hardly more than the flower and fruit emerging. Once they have germinated and attached to the circulatory system of the host, their photosynthesis reduces so far that it becomes insignificant.^[10]

Most of the Viscaceae bear evergreen leaves that photosynthesise effectively, and photosynthesis proceeds within their green, fleshy stems as well; some species, such as Viscum capense, are adapted to semi-arid conditions and their leaves are vestigial scales, hardly visible without detailed morphological investigation. Therefore their photosynthesis and transpiration only take place in their stems, limiting their demands on the host's supply of water, but also limiting their intake of carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. Accordingly their contribution to the host's metabolic balance becomes trivial and the idle parasite may become quite yellow as it grows, having practically given up photosynthesis.^[10]

At another extreme other species have vigorous green leaves. Not only do they photosynthesize actively, but a heavy infestation of mistletoe plants may take over whole host tree branches, sometimes killing practically the entire crown and replacing it with their own growth. In such a tree the host is relegated purely to the supply of water and mineral nutrients and the physical support of the trunk; such a tree may survive as a Viscum community for years; it resembles a totally unknown species unless one examines it closely, because its foliage does not look like that of any tree. An example of a species that behaves in this manner is Viscum continuum.^[10]

A mistletoe seed germinates on the branch of a host tree or shrub, and in its early stages of development it is independent of its host, it commonly has two or even four embryos, each producing its hypocotyl, that grows towards the bark of the host under the influence of light and gravity, and potentially each forming a mistletoe plant in a clump. Possibly as an adaptation to assist in guiding the process of growing away from the light, the adhesive on the seed tends to darken the bark. On having made contact with the bark, the hypocotyl, with only a rudimentary scrap of root tissue at its tip penetrates it, a process that may take a year or more. In the meantime the plant is dependent on its own photosynthesis. Only after it reaches the host's conductive tissue can it begin to rely on the host for its needs. Later it forms a haustorium that penetrates the host tissue and takes water and nutrients from the host plant.^[10]

Species more or less obligate include the leafless quintral, Tristerix aphyllus, which lives deep inside the sugar-transporting tissue of a spiny cactus, appearing only to show its tubular red flowers,^[11] and the genus Arceuthobium (dwarf mistletoe; Santalaceae) which has reduced photosynthesis; as an adult, it manufactures only a small proportion of the sugars it needs from its own photosynthesis, but as a seedling actively photosynthesizes until a connection to the host is established.

Some species of the largest family, Loranthaceae, have small, insect-pollinated flowers (as with Santalaceae), but others have spectacularly showy, large, bird-pollinated flowers.

Most mistletoe seeds are spread by birds that eat the 'seeds' (in actuality drupes). Of the many bird species that feed on them, the mistle thrush is the best-known in Europe, the Phainopepla in southwestern North America, and Dicaeum of Asia and Australia. Depending on the species of mistletoe and the species of bird, the seeds are regurgitated from the crop, excreted in their droppings, or stuck to the bill, from which the bird wipes it onto a suitable branch; the seeds are coated with a sticky material called viscin. Some viscin remains on the seed and when it touches a stem, it sticks tenaciously; the viscin soon hardens and attaches the seed firmly to its future host, where it germinates and its haustorium penetrates the sound bark.^[12]

Specialist mistletoe eaters have adaptations that expedite the process; some pass the seeds through their unusually shaped digestive tracts so fast that a pause for defecation of the seeds is part of the feeding routine. Others have adapted patterns of feeding behavior; the bird grips the fruit in its bill and squeezes the sticky-coated seed out to the side; the seed sticks to the beak and the bird wipes it off onto the branch.^[13]

Biochemically, viscin is a complex adhesive mix containing cellulosic strands and mucopolysaccharides.^[14]

Once a mistletoe plant is established on its host, it usually is possible to save a valuable branch by pruning and judicious removal of the wood invaded by the haustorium, if the infection is caught early enough; some species of mistletoe can regenerate if the pruning leaves any of the haustorium alive in the wood.^[15][16]

Toxicity[edit]

Some mistletoe plants are toxic^[17] though their effects are not usually fatal;^[18] the active substances are Phoratoxin (in Phoradendron) and Tyramine (in Viscum)^[18] and their effects include blurred vision, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting.^[17] Less commonly they cause cardiac problems; seizures, hypertension, and even cardiac arrest.^[18] Toxins are more concentrated in the leaves and berries of the plant, with teas prepared from the plant being particularly dangerous.^[18] While adults may suffer little effect, these are more pronounced in small children and in animals.^[19] There are 1500 species of mistletoe, varying widely in toxicity; the European mistletoe (Viscum Album) is more toxic than the American mistletoe (Phoradendron serotinum),^[18] though concerns regarding toxicity are more prevalent in the US. ^[19]

Mistletoe has been used historically in medicine for its supposed value in treating arthritis, high blood pressure, epilepsy and infertility:^[20] Conversely, it can cause vasoconstriction and bradycardia, and is also used as an illegal abortifacient^[18] Mistletoe is currently used as a complementary medicine for the treatment of cancer (though its use is not approved by the FDA) and as a veterinary herbal medicine.^[18]

Ecological importance[edit]

Mistletoes are often considered pests that kill trees and devalue natural habitats, but some species have recently been recognized as ecological keystone species, organisms that have a disproportionately pervasive influence over their community.^[21] A broad array of animals depend on mistletoe for food, consuming the leaves and young shoots, transferring pollen between plants and dispersing the sticky seeds. In western North America their juicy berries are eaten and spread by birds (notably Phainopepla, or silky-flycatcher) while in Australia the mistletoebird behaves similarly; when eaten, some seeds pass unharmed through their digestive systems; if the birds’ droppings happen to land on a suitable branch, the seeds may stick long enough to germinate. As the plants mature, they grow into masses of branching stems which suggest the popular name "witches’ brooms"; the dense evergreen witches' brooms formed by the dwarf mistletoes (Arceuthobium species) of western North America also make excellent locations for roosting and nesting of the northern spotted owl and the marbled murrelet. In Australia the diamond firetail and painted honeyeater are recorded as nesting in different mistletoes; this behavior is probably far more widespread than currently recognized; more than 240 species of birds that nest in foliage in Australia have been recorded nesting in mistletoe, representing more than 75% of the resident birds.

A study of mistletoe in junipers concluded that more juniper berries sprout in stands where mistletoe is present, as the mistletoe attracts berry-eating birds which also eat juniper berries;^[22] such interactions lead to dramatic influences on diversity, as areas with greater mistletoe densities support higher diversities of animals. Thus, rather than being a pest, mistletoe can have a positive effect on biodiversity, providing high quality food and habitat for a broad range of animals in forests and woodlands worldwide.

Cultural references[edit]

Mistletoe is relevant to several cultures.

The Mistletoe Seller by Adrien Barrère

Pre-Christian cultures regarded the white berries as symbols of male fertility, with the seeds resembling semen;^[23] the Celts, particularly, saw mistletoe as the semen of Taranis, while the Ancient Greeks referred to mistletoe as "oak sperm."^[24][25] Also in Ancient Greek mythology mistletoe was used by the hero Aeneas to access the underworld.^[26][27]. Mistletoe played an important role in Druidic mythology in the Ritual of Oak and Mistletoe. In Norse Mythology, Loki tricked the blind god Hodur into murdering his own twin brother Balder with an arrow made of mistletoe wood, being the only plant to which Balder was vulnerable; some versions of the story have mistletoe becoming a symbol of peace and friendship to compensate for its part in the murder.^[28]

The Romans associated mistletoe with peace, love and understanding and hung it over doorways to protect the household.^[29] Hanging mistletoe was part of the Saturnalia festival.^[30]

In the Christian era, mistletoe in the Western world became associated with Christmas as a decoration under which lovers are expected to kiss, as well as with protection from witches and demons.^[31] Mistletoe continued to be associated with fertility and vitality through the Middle Ages, and by the 18th century it had also become incorporated into Christmas celebrations around the world; the custom of kissing under the mistletoe is referred to as popular among servants in late 18th century England:^[32][33] the serving class of Victorian England is credited with perpetuating the tradition.^[34] The tradition 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.^[35][36] One variation on the tradition stated that with each kiss a berry was to be plucked from the mistletoe, and the kissing must stop after all the berries had been removed.^[34][36] People have reportedly been poisoned and died from consuming mistletoe.^[37]

In Germany, the Christmas tradition is that people who kiss under mistletoe will have an enduring love or are bound to marry one another.^[38]

From at least the mid-19th century, Caribbean herbalists of African descent have referred to mistletoe as "god-bush".^[39]

Mistletoe is the state floral emblem of Oklahoma and the county flower of Herefordshire.

Every year, the UK town of Tenbury Wells holds a mistletoe festival and crowns a 'Mistletoe Queen'.^[40]

One of the earliest references to mistletoe traditions in popular music is the 1952 hit 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus', which was originally sung by Jimmy Boyd and has been covered by many singers; the song was written by British songwriter Tommie Connor and recorded in the US. The 1958 US hit 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree' refers to couples wanting to stop beneath the mistletoe. In 1988, the British singer Cliff Richard released a popular Christmas song called 'Mistletoe and Wine'. More recent Christmas songs referring to mistletoe traditions include 'Merry Christmas Everyone' by Shakin' Stevens (1991), 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' written and performed by Mariah Carey (1994) and 'Mistletoe' by Justin Bieber (2011).

In the Asterix franchise, mistletoe is the main ingredient of the 'Magic Potion' that endows the Gauls with superhuman prowess (strength, etc.), that allows the Gaulish village to keep the Romans at bay.

In the popular roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons, druids use mistletoe as the default focus item for casting spells.

Gallery[edit]

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  European mistletoe, Viscum album, on an apple tree in Essex, England

• 

  Drooping mistletoe bush (Amyema pendula) on a Eucalyptus tree

• 

  Mistletoe attached to Eucalyptus host

• 

  Fruits

• 

  Red mistletoe, New Zealand

• 

  Mistletoe in San Bernardino Mountains

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  Mistletoe berries in Wye Valley

• 

  Heavy load of mistletoe on apple tree in Franche-Comté.

• 

  Mistletoe in abundance in Wye Valley

• 

  Mistletoe in North Central Texas

• 

  Desert mistletoe on a palo verde tree in southern Arizona.

• 

  Unusual red Viscum cruciatum near Velez Malaga in southern Spain.

See also[edit]

• Viscum album
• Kissing bough
• Festive ecology

References[edit]

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mistletoe.

Look up mistletoe in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Wikispecies has information related to Santalales

Wikisource has the text of the 1921 Collier's Encyclopedia article Mistletoe.

• About mistletoe
• Parasitic Plant Connection. See families Misodendraceae, Loranthaceae, Santalaceae, and Viscaceae
• Introduction to Parasitic Flowering Plants by Nickrent & Musselman
• Phoradendron serotinum images at bioimages.vanderbilt.edu
• Scientific Studies, Research and Clinical Trials on Mistletoe Treatment in Cancer
• Deck the halls with wild, wonderful mistletoe, West Virginia Department of Agriculture
•  "Mistletoe" . Encyclopædia Britannica. 16 (9th ed.). 1883.
•  "Mistletoe" . The New Student's Reference Work . 1914.
• ANBG: Mistletoe Accessed 22 January 2018.