Mistletoe About Mistletoe  Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that grows on trees, particularly hardwood trees and is composed of many different subspecies. The primary species are Viscum album (European Mistletoe, Santalaceae; the only species native in Great Britain and much of Europe); subsequently it was extended to other related species, including Phoradendron serotinum (the Eastern Mistletoe of eastern North America, also
Santalaceae). Parasitic plants are plants that rely on other plants for their food and therefore their existence. Mistletoe is found in 2/3 of the continental US states, parts of Canada, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and much of Europe into the Orient. Mistletoe's found in North America bear white or red berries, which are enjoyed and eaten by many birds which spread their seeds. This accounts for the plants wide range. Mistletoe sends its tendrils (roots) deep into the bark of the tree to feed off of its sap and while it does not usually kill its host, it can cause stunting and deformed limbs.
Mistletoe caution  The berries of Mistletoe contain viscotoxins, if eaten, will cause extreme stomach and intestinal pain, discomfort and possibly death for the victim. In recent years, some companies have started marketing a modified Mistletoe, where they remove the poisonous berries and replace them with safe plastic ones. If you choose to bring Mistletoe indoors to be a part of your holiday celebration this year or just need a little kiss from an unsuspecting lady, use caution to keep this little matchmaker far away from children.
The tradition of Mistletoe Traditions for Mistletoe go back to Roman times. Mistletoe has been at the center of customs, traditions and myth since antiquity. In more modern (Victorian) time hanging mistletoe over a doorway during the Christmas holiday is a tradition that most Americans and a lot of people around  the world have grown up with. The correct mistletoe etiquette is for the man to remove one berry when he kisses a woman. When all the berries are gone, there is no more kissing underneath that plant. Kissing under the mistletoe has proper etiquette rules that come from ancient times. The gentleman can kiss the lady on the cheek once for each white berry he picks off the mistletoe. When the berries are gone, no more kissing. A successful kiss results in marriage. If a girl refuses to be kissed, she will become an old maid. 
The current known growing range of Mistletoe in the United States.
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