Yahoo: Mistletoe – famous for stolen holiday kisses – is a parasite that steals water and nutrients from other plants Mistletoe – famous for stolen holiday kisses – is a parasite that steals water and nutrients from other plants CC0 Usage Conditions ApplyClick for more information. We often think of holiday rom-coms and romantic kisses when we see mistletoe. But did you know this festive plant is actually a parasite, stealing ...

Understanding the Context

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. American mistletoe's genus *Phoradendron* means 'thief of trees' in Greek. Joe Decruyenaere/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA A ... The Christmas holiday season would not be complete without a dangling of mistletoe under the doorway.

Key Insights

Traditionally, mistletoe is used to decorate the doorway, leading visitors inside to beautiful ... Mistletoe just inexplicably feels familiar. Every December, the evergreen sprigs that spent the offseason hidden in our subconscious are suddenly all around us. Mistletoe is the long-lost acquaintance ... Mistletoe is best known for its role in holiday festivities, as seen on this Christmas card from 1886, and it features in ancient lore of many cultures, whether Celtic druids or Scandinavian gods.

Final Thoughts

Mistletoe is more than a festive decoration that helps with holiday matchmaking; it has a rich history and distinctive growing habits. Known for its evergreen leaves and white berries, this stunning ...