2023-12-19 13:13:00
In Germany and other European countries, this plant, steeped in myths and legends, is best seen after the leaves begin to turn yellow and fall off in the fall. At this time, high in the trees in forests, parks, along roads and rivers, spherical dense bushes of evergreen mistletoe (German: Mistel, Latin: Viscum) catch the eye.
This shrub parasitizes poplars, maples, willows and other trees – it settles on branches, receives moisture and nutrients through the roots that it puts out under the tree bark. In this case, photosynthesis can be carried out independently.
Trees with mistletoe on the branches on a foggy morningPhoto: W. Pattyn/blickwinkel/picture alliance European mistletoe bush on an old tree Photo: Hippocampus Bildarchiv/picture-alliance Tree with numerous mistletoe bushes against the sunset skyPhoto: Matthias Tödt/dpa-Zentralbild/ZB/picture alliance
Mistletoe – where it grows and how it spreads
Mistletoe grows not only in Europe. There are many different species around the world, from common and white to dwarf. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, mistletoe sprigs are traditionally used in Germany and many other countries to decorate homes for the holidays.
This plant spreads with the help of birds, when they, for example, clean their beaks of stuck seeds on branches. They stick because mistletoe fruits contain a sticky liquid. The fruits were previously even used to make glue.
Mistletoe thrushes love mistletoe fruits so much that they even got a mention of it in their names in Latin (Turdus viscivorus), German (Misteldrossel), English (Mistle thrush) and other languages.
The mistletoe fruits themselves are mildly poisonous. Branches should be kept away from children and animals at home. However, preparations from this plant find a wide variety of applications in modern medicine – even as accompanying therapy for cancer.
Mistletoe in old drawings and photographs
Mistletoe sprigs cut with a golden sickle in the hands of a druid during a New Year’s ceremony. Historical illustrationPhoto: Mary Evans Picture Library/EDWIN/picture alliance A girl with mistletoe and the symbol of happiness – a pig on a German New Year’s card circa 1910Photo: akg-images/picture alliance A street mistletoe seller in London on the eve of Christmas. Illustration from 1853 Photo: Mary Evans Picture Library/picture alliance Mistletoe seller in Paris on a postcard circa 1900 Photo: akg-images/picture alliance British and German soldiers photographed with sprigs of mistletoe during the 1914 Christmas Truce at the start of the First World War Photo: Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans Picture Library/picture alliance
Although this plant is a semi-parasite, in Germany it is under protection, that is, simply picking or cutting mistletoe in forests or parks is prohibited. Twigs are bought here in flower shops or markets. Mistletoe grows slowly. It blooms for the first time only in the fifth year.
A woman holding mistletoe in an illustration for December in the 1896 French calendar Photo: The Print Collector/Heritage Images/picture alliance
Mistletoe – a remedy for magic and witchcraft
Celtic Druids cut mistletoe branches with golden sickles for ritual sacrifices – however, only mistletoe that grew on oak trees was suitable for these purposes, which is rare. According to one version, it is the mistletoe branch that the main character of Virgil’s poem “Aeneid” plucks from a tree in order to get to the other world and see his father. In Ancient Rome, mistletoe sprigs were hung over the front doors to protect the house from harm, magic and witchcraft. The same is true today in many countries. It is believed that people who meet under the mistletoe before Christmas are obliged to kiss. This kiss itself should be the key to happiness and eternal love. Previously, refusing such a kiss promised the girl to remain unmarried for the entire next year.
Mistletoe – a symbol of peace
The list of different traditions and signs could go on for a long time. They originate in ancient times – from the Saturnalia holidays in Ancient Rome and various customs of the ancient Scandinavian peoples. For the latter, mistletoe was a symbol of peace. The enemies, having accidentally met under the tree on which it grew, had to lay down their arms the next day.
P.S.
Dried mistletoe tea Photo: Hans-Joachim Schneider/CHROMORANGE/picture alliance Sprigs with mistletoe fruits in the decoration of the festive table Photo: F. Hecker/blickwinkel/picture alliance
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#Mistletoe #Christmas #Germany #countries