Which winter-holiday celebration would be complete without a kiss under the mistletoe? This mysterious plant that appears above doorways and arches to catch unsuspecting lovers in a clinch adds fun and even drama to festive occasions. Ho-ho the mistletoe indeed!
Tradition … tradition!
The tradition of kissing under mistletoe began in ancient Rome during the festival of Saturnalia. Across Europe, mistletoe evokes magical, mysterious, and sacred folklore associated with fertility, life, peace, and political power. Greeks and Celtic druids celebrated its many mystical uses. In North America, author Washington Irving refers to the kissing custom in his story “Christmas Eve” from the 1820 collection of essays and stories The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. Irving shares that each time a couple kissed under a sprig of mistletoe they took one of the white berries. With every berry gone, the sprig no longer had kissing power.
In Europe, Viscum album, and in North America, Phoradendron serotinum, both with green foliage and small white flowers that become white berries, typically make the holiday décor and begin to appear in stores in late November. Those that don’t may have orange or yellow leaves (dwarf mistletoe) or might resemble a jumble of twigs (called dung twig or witch’s broom) making for a less appreciated spectacle indoors.
For information on harvesting or removing mistletoe from trees, contact a certified arborist.
Lenore has been a Collier County resident for over 40 years. She fell in love with Naples and surrounding areas and decided to make the move from Cleveland in December 1981. Lenore has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of South Florida where she met her husband of over 25 years. They have two children that attend University of Florida and Florida Gulf Coast University. She has worked as a Community Service Deputy with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, a Guest Teacher with the Collier County Public Schools, and continues to serve on many committees with the Parent-Teacher Organizations in Naples. Lenore has a true passion for Naples and is excited to put that passion to work for her customers. Whether you need an expert guide in buying a home, or a dedicated leader to sell your property; her love of Naples will always give you piece of mind in your real estate venture.