It's hard to believe that anything which could bring so much joy in classified as a parasite But it's true! The technical name for this Christmas delight is literally "tree thief." But, of course, it's not all bad. Actually this fungus is good enough that Oklahoma made the decoration its official state flower.
To the early inhabitants of the British Isles, it was a magical plant and the object of worship. Some ancients wore it around the neck to ward off disease. Others stuck a sprig in their hats to guarantee good hunting.
The Japanese were convinced that it would increase crop growth and fertility. The Swiss shot it out of trees wit arrows for good luck and happy days. Italian peasants thought the happy parasite offered protection against harm in general, and fire in particular. In old England, the first cow that produced a calf after New Year's Day a bedecked with a garland of its leaves.
Our early colonists kept springs of the plant under their pillow to induce dreams of happy days to come. Young girls believed they could receive a dream-preview of their future spouses.
You know what it is? Sure you do! You've seen plenty of it, every year. No one in America expects it to drive away evil spirits or roll back prices or solve the energy crisis.
But it does enliven dull parties and offer hope to the kiss-less.
It's mistletoe.
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