Holiday traditions of mistletoe and holly

The history of mistletoe, a Christmas and winter tradition, dates back to ancient Celtic and Norse cultures. It was a sign of love and peace and placed over doorways of homes in winter. Anyone standing under mistletoe was promised a kiss. In Victorian England, the hanging of mistletoe became a tradition and allowed a man to steal a kiss from a woman caught under it and it was considered bad luck if a woman refused. Kissing under the mistletoe is first found associated with the Greek festival of Saturnalia and later with primitive marriage rites. The tradition at that time was for a man to pluck a berry when he kisses a lady under the mistletoe and when the last berry is gone, no more kissing! The kissing tradition may be gone today, but as in earliest times, mistletoe has a beautiful love story due to the magical, mysterious and secret plants of European folklore. It is still often considered a bestower of life and fertility and a protectant against evil and poison. Phoradendron leucarpum, American Mistletoe; the word Phoradendron is Greek meaning a thief of a tree. Mistletoe plant is a parasitic plant that grows by sending out roots that penetrate the host tree and steal nutrients and minerals from the host tree. The mistletoe looks much like a basket in the host tree. Mistletoe is used often as a nesting site for birds or squirrels and a good place for insects. The berries are very poisonous and can kill a small child. There are many websites where you can buy decorations that are live or artificial. Mistletoe is very messy with its sticky white berries. Using artificial mistletoe may be a better option. You can buy mistletoe tea oils, cosmetics, and even organic dishwashing liquid that is 100% biodegradable. Right now, mistletoe is being used for therapy for cancer and other health issues. Another plant associated with Christmas is Holly — a much prettier plant than mistletoe. The deep green holly leaves are shiny and spectacular. The holly leaf shape is found on many Christmas items such as cookie cutters. There are many different types of holly plants. The most common holly in the Buckeye state is the American Holly (Ilex opaca). It is native from the northeast, south to Florida and west to Missouri and Texas. It grows in the wild in several counties in southern Ohio. It gets to be a small or medium tree of 40 to 50 feet high. However, in the Buckeye state, it has only been reported to reach heights of 20 to 30 feet. The leaves of American Holly resemble the English Holly. They are a beautiful glossy green with sharp spines and the plant berries are red or yellow. Known for its Christmas colors of red and green, American Holly is a common substitute for English Holly in holiday decorations that are used in homes, churches and even wedding. Many native plants have become important traditions during the Christmas holiday season in the American culture — mistletoe and holly are a just a few of these examples. Rebecca Sherrard is an Ohio State University Extension Hancock County Master Gardener Volunteer Intern. Find the group on Facebook at "Hancock County Master Gardener Volunteers."