Mistletoe

Stem with leaves and fruits collected from another tree.

Phoradendron serotinum
MISTLETOE
Viscaceae
E. North America

Location: map coordinates N-12 (northeast of Baker Building, on limbs of red maple tree (Acer rubrum), N 39°11'11'' W 75°32'43''

Planting history: “planted” naturally, most likely by birds (on tree limbs)

Description:

evergreen shrub; parasitic on host tree
etymology: Phoradendron means tree-thief; serotinum = developing late (refers to fruits which ripen in winter)
formerly Phoradendron leucarpum (synonym; leucarpum means white fruit)
common name “mistletoe” comes from Anglo-Saxon for “dung on a twig”
forms a dense green cluster growing up on the branches of host trees; especially visible in winter
hemi-parasite; obtains mainly water and mineral nutrients from host tree, but carries out photosynthesis to produce its own “food”. Hausteria (root-like structures) attach it to host tree
dioecious (separate male and female plants)
berries white; eaten by birds; sticky due to viscin coating known as “bird glue”; birds “plant” the seeds by wiping beaks on tree branches, and also in their droppings
yuletide tradition of kissing under mistletoe dates back to winter solstice celebrations of ancient Britain (ca 300 AD); ancient Celtic priests used European mistletoe as a potion in fertility rites. Also used to ward off evil
formerly used medicinally by Native Americans for epilepsy, headaches, oral contraceptive. Also used today in some countries as herbal remedy for cancer, and circulatory and respiratory problems. Warning: mistletoe is often considered to be poisonous (although usually not fatal)
native range generally southern, from Florida and Texas north to New Jersey
the only species of mistletoe in Delaware, where it seems to prefer red maple as its host tree

Native species, State Rank S4 (common, but not very common, in Delaware); on Delaware coastal plain