Wholesale Mistletoe

01.
A Bit of Botany

a little botanical information on mistletoe

description
Viscum album, a member of the Santalaceae family. It is a hemi-parasitic shrub (meaning it can obtain some nourishment from its host but it can also photosynthesize and potentially live dependently). As such it grows on the stems of other trees. It has stems that are 30–100 centimeters (12–39 inches) in length with dichotomous branching. Its yellowish-green leaves grow in opposite pairs, strap-shaped, entire, leathery textured, 2–8 centimeters long and 0.8–2.5 centimeters wide.

This species is dioecious and the inconspicuous yellowish-green flowers are insect-pollinated. They are just 2–3 millimeters in diameter.

This plant's fruit is a white or yellow berry containing one (very rarely several) seed embedded in the very sticky, glutinous fruit pulp. It is commonly found in the crowns of broad-leaved trees, particularly apple, lime, hawthorn and poplar.

common names & nomenclature
The species name is from albus the Latin adjective "white" presumably referencing the berry's color.

The French common name Herbe de la Croix came about due to an old legend. Early Christians believed mistletoe was a freestanding tree during Jesus's time and that its wood was used to fashion the cross. God therefore punished the plant for its role in the crucifixion by turning it into a parasite. This story gave mistletoe its Latin name, lignum crucis, meaning "wood of the cross", and also eventually its French name herbe de la croix.

Also known as:
Mistletoe, European mistletoe, common mistletoe, Herbe de la Croix

02.
Where in the World

habitat and range for mistletoe

Viscum album is native to Europe and western and southern Asia.

03.
Cultivation & Harvesting

considerations for growing and harvesting mistletoe

climate
Grows on the branches of many trees in dappled-shade forests, mistletoe especially favors poplars, apples, chestnut and birch. Not usually found on conifers.

growing
To grow mistletoe, you will need to obtain fresh berries. Squish them down onto the wood on the underside of a branch of another suitable tree so that the juice makes the seed stick. This tree will act as host to the mistletoe. Some people will go so far as to make notches in the wood for this purpose. A threadlike root will form in a few days and pierce the wood, eventually finding its way into the tree itself. You should select a large, healthy tree and a branch that will get plenty of its own sunlight. The mistletoe will take up to two years to mature.

harvesting
Mistletoe berries can be harvested in autumn. The plant itself should be harvested in the winter and hung to dry.

preserving
Store dried mistletoe leaf in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

04.
The Rest of the Story

mistletoe history, folklore, literature & more