![]() Witches’ Broom is defined as an “abnormal brush-like cluster of dwarfed, weak shoots arising at or near the same point.” This deformed mass of twigs and branches occurs in response to pathogens and insect pests (mites, aphids, nematodes, fungi, viruses, bacteria and phytoplasmas (parasitical bacteria)) as well as stressful environmental conditions. See if you can spot any in the trees this winter.If you’ve ever seen a tree or shrub that looks like its growth has gone haywire in one particular spot, you may have come across a phenomenon called Witches’ Broom. There you have it, some interesting facts about mistletoe to share at your next holiday party. That doesn’t change the fact that it is one of the most widely used unconventional cancer treatments in Europe. No clinical trials have proven that mistletoe can cure cancer. ![]() The poisonous chemicals in the berries were thought to stimulate the immune system and help it fight off cancer. Since 1916 mistletoe has been used as an alternative cancer treatment. They also made a contraceptive tea out of the scaly leaves.īeliefs about mistletoe’s healing powers continue to this day. Remember those dwarf mistletoe in Canada? Some indigenous groups in western Canada boiled and ate the berries. Confusingly, others used it as a contraceptive. Some groups in Europe used it as an aphrodisiac and to boost fertility. In Celtic traditions mistletoe was a cure-all. In some circles kissing under a mistletoe was thought to always lead to marriage, so you had to be careful who you kissed! Reportedly the kissing thing finally happened in England, and was later imported to North America. Norse mythology and traditions were adopted by the French and English, who started using mistletoe as a holiday decoration. It’s a far cry from kissing, but not killing each other is the first step. Some myths say the mistletoe’s white berries are his mother’s tears. Others say that the gods decided that after this tragic event the mistletoe would bring love instead of death.Īs a result, when Scandinavian warriors met an enemy under a mistletoe, it was customary to lay down their weapons for the day. She missed the mistletoe, because what could it do? Shoot berries at him?īut Loki, the trickster, made a spear out of mistletoe and tricked another god into killing Baldur with it. Some would call that helicopter parenting. Baldur was immortal because his mother made everything on earth promise not to hurt him. Mistletoe plays a starring role in the Norse myth of Baldur’s murder. Mistletoe was believed to bring happiness, safety and good luck, as long as it didn’t touch the ground. The mistletoe was also significant in German and Norse mythology, especially when it grew on sacred oak trees. Druids used mistletoe in religious ceremonies as a cure-all and to bring good luck. Its evergreen leaves were seen as a symbol of magical power and rebirth, especially during the winter when mistletoe is one the only green things around. The mistletoe’s story begins in Celtic Europe. ![]() Okay, so why do we kiss under these parasitic ‘dung’ plants in the first place? Mistletoe is part of a dastardly deed in Norse mythology. But, then again, birds are also a mistletoe’s best friend. ![]() Birds love to make nests in witches’ brooms. If the tree dies, the witches’ broom is often the last part to go. These branches are often deformed, and are called ‘witches’ brooms.’ Unfortunately, these witches’ brooms suck the tree’s resources even more. Trees sometimes try to fight back against the mistletoe by growing several branches around it. Instead of growing taller or producing more apples, the trees spend their energy feeding the mistletoe. Severe mistletoe infestations can drain a tree’s resources. Or if a tree farmer yanks them out with a pole. Viscum album only gets to be about 2-3 feet tall. Trees have some strange responses to mistletoe infection, like developing these gnarled branches. ![]()
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