European mistletoe

It is a hemi-parasitic evergreen shrub, which grows on the stems of other trees. The plant contains a haustorium that connects it to the host tree by connecting the xylem and phloem of the mistletoe to that of the host tree, which allows it to receive nutrients and water. It has stems 30–100 centimetres (12–39 in) long with dichotomous branching. The leaves are in opposite pairs, strap-shaped, entire, leathery textured, 2–8 centimetres (0.79–3.15 in) long, 0.8–2.5 centimetres (0.31–0.98 in) broad and are a yellowish-green in colour. This species is dioecious and the insect-pollinated flowers are inconspicuous, yellowish-green, 2–3 millimetres (0.079–0.118 in) diameter. The fruit is a white or yellow berry, and except for very rarely, containing one seed embedded in the very sticky, glutinous fruit pulp. It is commonly found in the crowns of broad-leaved trees, particularly apple, lime (linden), hawthorn, and poplar. European mistletoe is the only multicellular organism known to lack a functioning respiratory complex I in its electron transport chain, a protein that is essential for the creation of useful energy for its cells. It is believed to survive by obtaining adenosine triphosphate and energy-rich compounds from its host as well as reorganizing its other respiratory complexes and slowing its growth and energy requirements.

Mistletoe leaves and young twigs are used by herbalists and preparations made from them are popular in Europe, especially in Germany, for attempting to treat circulatory and respiratory system problems. Use of mistletoe extract in the treatment of cancer originated with Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Anthroposophy.

European mistletoe features in many myths and legends, from early written sources into the modern period. In cultures across pre-Christian Europe, mistletoe was often seen as a representation of divine male essence (and thus romance, fertility, and vitality). The stomach contents of ancient sacrifice victims buried in bogs, is always found to be a porridge containing mistletoe berries.

Ancient Greek and Roman. Mistletoe figured prominently in Greek mythology, and is believed to be the Golden Bough of Aeneas, ancestor of the Romans. In Ancient Greek mythology, mistletoe was used by heroes to access the underworld. The Romans associated mistletoe with peace, love, and understanding. They hung mistletoe over doorways to protect the household.

Celtic. Pliny the Elder makes an account in his Natural History about the Celtic religious Ritual of oak and mistletoe, in which druids would climb oak trees to cut down the mistletoe growing on it where it would then be turned into an elixir said to cure infertility and the effects of poison.

"We should not omit to mention the great admiration that the Gauls have for it as well. The druids – that is what they call their magicians – hold nothing more sacred than the mistletoe and a tree on which it is growing, provided it is a hard-timbered oak .... …