Mistletoe

Under the mistletoe

A decoration festive Christmas holiday Mistletoe is (Phoradendron flavescens) representing fertility, life, romance and peace. Druids believed it was a sacred plant that would bring good health and luck. The tradition of “kissing under the mistletoe” symbolized fertility. It was also used for medicinal purposes in the treatment of various diseases.

In reality Visco is a parasitic plant that makes half their own food, but thrives with other live plants for water and nutrients. Because it does not have a root system, mistletoe host feeds a tree using root-like projections called haustoria. These projections penetrate the host tree and suck water and nutrients, which can weaken and even kill a tree stressed, earning the name “Vampire”.

There are more than 1500 species around the world, but in the United States, mistletoe is more prevalent in southern States and grows in deciduous trees and perennials. Much of what is collected in Oklahoma and Texas to holiday decorating.

Caution:All plant parts are poisonous. Today for security reasons, sticky, poisonous berries, white are replaced with false berries. This is probably because they hang it portals and ceilings; to keep it away from children and animals.

Now you know the real story: this sprig look innocent of a factory of Christmas is very sinister in nature.
Source: University of Iowa

There are no related posts.

View the original article here