A parasitic plant with potentially poisonous berries might not sound like something that would boost your Christmas decorations to the next level. But, botanically speaking, that’s what mistletoe is.

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. White berries fill a clump of mistletoe hanging from an oak. As a young child living in Virginia, I recall kids going door to door ...

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Of all the plants used in holiday decor, few match mistletoe's interesting history. Also, few equal its potential for harm. Mistletoe is an evergreen, parasitic plant with white berries found growing ...

It's long been known as a romantic symbol of Christmas, but the reality is that mistletoe has a darker side to it. For one, it can be poisonous for humans. And what's more, if you find that it's ...

The Christmas holiday season would not be complete without a dangling of mistletoe under the doorway. Traditionally, mistletoe is used to decorate the doorway, leading visitors inside to beautiful ...

Hanging mistletoe during the holiday season is a beloved tradition steeped in mystery, romance and a touch of superstition. While today it’s most commonly associated with sharing a kiss, mistletoe’s ...

Mistletoes evolved the ability to grow not on the roots of trees, but instead on their branches. Frankie Angel / Alamy Baldur, grandson of the Norse god Thor, woke up one morning certain that each and ...

Eastern or oak mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum) is a native plant found in the canopies of trees throughout South Carolina. Phoradendron is Greek for “tree thief.” As the name suggests, oak ...

It’s often thought that mistletoe spells bad news for its host tree, but new research suggests otherwise – just in time for Christmas. If mistletoe’s status as a nutrient-stealing freeloader has been ...