A parasitic plant with potentially poisonous berries might not sound like something that would boost your Christmas decorations to the next level. But, botanically speaking, that’s what mistletoe is.

Of all the plants used in holiday decor, few match mistletoe's interesting history. Also, few equal its potential for harm. Mistletoe is an evergreen, parasitic plant with white berries found growing ...

The Christmas holiday season would not be complete without a dangling of mistletoe under the doorway. Traditionally, mistletoe is used to decorate the doorway, leading visitors inside to beautiful ...

For many people, mistletoe is a pest, while for others, it is a symbol of Christmas cheer. The origin of mistletoe as a Yuletide symbol came from the Norse and the Druids. Both had traditions that ...

Hanging mistletoe during the holiday season is a beloved tradition steeped in mystery, romance and a touch of superstition. While today it’s most commonly associated with sharing a kiss, mistletoe’s ...

Eastern or oak mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum) is a native plant found in the canopies of trees throughout South Carolina. Phoradendron is Greek for “tree thief.” As the name suggests, oak ...

It's long been known as a romantic symbol of Christmas, but the reality is that mistletoe has a darker side to it. For one, it can be poisonous for humans. And what's more, if you find that it's ...

It’s often thought that mistletoe spells bad news for its host tree, but new research suggests otherwise – just in time for Christmas. If mistletoe’s status as a nutrient-stealing freeloader has been ...

As we take joy and delight during the holidays, celebratory plants are all around us. Fir trees decked with lights, ribbon, and ornaments stand proudly over presents. The elegant scarlet leaves of ...

This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today. Stealing a smooch under the mistletoe ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. White berries fill a clump of mistletoe hanging from an oak. As a young child living in Virginia, I recall kids going door to door ...

What is not seen, haustoria, a network of root-like structures that pervade the vascular tissues, absorbing and providing water and minerals to the visible part of the “shrub.” In Norse mythology, ...