With Christmas arriving at a super-fast pace this year, we will be decorating our homes with evergreen trees, wreaths and of course, mistletoe.

Who hasn’t been kissed under this plant, either in years past or hopefully during our upcoming festivities? It’s a lovely green plant but unfortunately, that is where its attraction ends.

Mistletoe is a common parasitic plant growing on deciduous trees, although it can also be called hemiparasitic.

A noticeable white fruit grows among the green leaves, and contained in the fruit is a sticky seed that birds consume.

Although toxic in large amounts, the seed does not affect the birds but passes through their digestive tract and is deposited on a tree limb. Because the seed has this sticky substance, it clings to the tree branch and begins to grow both leaves and roots, becoming a “parasite.” Leaves that absorb chlorophyll for nourishment from the sun, called photosynthesis, cause this plant to also become “hemiparasitic” or “half-parasitic,” gaining nutrients from both the host tree or shrub and the sun.

Growing primarily in the South, this perennial flowering plant has oval, opposite leaves on a woody stem with small white flowers that bear white berries.

The roots are strong enough to penetrate the bark of trees and shrubs, absorbing water and nutrients from the tree or shrub.

These host plants are not necessarily harmed, but if many mistletoe plants are on the tree or shrub, they can become stressed, infected and damaged, causing an infestation of bacteria or insects.

At this time, an arborist may want to prune the tree where the mistletoe is growing.

Mistletoe is usually found on hardwood trees, such as oaks, maples, hawthorns and poplar along with hardwood shrubs, and can only thrive on a living host.

Historically, mistletoe traditions were brought to America through immigration.

Europeans believed hanging mistletoe in doorways prevented witches from entering the home and could ward off evil spirits. Greek festivals believed it promoted fertility and marriages, and mistletoe represented peace in Norse mythology.

Mistletoe is grouped into four plant families and is found in many countries. This state flower of Oklahoma is a warm to hot weather plant and does not grow in our climate.

Starting mistletoe from seed is rarely practiced, but not impossible.

Maturity occurs after 2 to 3 years and needs a hardwood tree or shrub upon which to grow. It is much easier and safer to purchase and securely hang it in a doorway, out of reach of our children and pets.

If you are lucky, you might just get that kiss under the mistletoe from someone special to carry you through the Christmas season!

For pictures and more information, go to: https://go.osu.edu/mistletoe

Kane Shipka is an Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer in Mahoning County.