Q: How did mistletoe come to be...

Q: How did mistletoe come to be associated with Christmas?

A: Mistletoe is a parasite that grows on, and sometimes kills, a broad variety of trees. It rarely grows on oak trees, however. Historians say that the Druids--the ancient priests of the Celts--cut the mistletoe that did grow on the sacred oak and gave it to the people for charms. They also used sprays of it hung in doorways to indicate that past grievances and hatreds were forgiven. Scandinavians believed that men who met in battle under mistletoe would stop fighting, kiss and makeup. In some sections of Europe, the midsummer gathering of mistletoe is still accompanied by the burning of bonfires, a reminder of ceremonies performed by the Druids.

Mistletoe is not a flower, but a “vicious, sap-sucking, destructive little pest,” according to horticulturist Robert Black of the University of Florida. It grows on the limbs of hardwood trees, sending out roots that penetrate the topmost branches, seeking water and nutrients. All parts of the plant, including the white berries that might be tempting to toddlers, are poisonous. “To many, it symbolizes love,” Black said, “but horticulturally, it’s a weed.”