Description

Botanical name:Viscum album

Origin: Eastern Europe

The kissing herb

Mistletoe is a member of the sandalwood family that occurs naturally throughout Europe and some parts of Asia. This shrubby plant is semi-parasitic, existing within the stems and branches of neighboring trees with a preference toward oak, apple, elm and poplar. It is “semi” parasitic in the sense that the plant is also capable of manufacturing its own energy via photosynthesis. Also known as European Mistletoe, this is the “Christmas herb” that compels people to kiss when standing underneath it, a tradition that relates to the gift of mistletoe given to the Goddess of Love.