mistletoe

There are a few live oaks around here but not so many as there are south of I20. I think this might be close to the edge of their range. Cedar trees are thick on the rocky hillsides where the land is too useless to bother with.

But mostly around here we have deciduous trees. Post oaks, blackjack oaks, and cedar elms are the most common. Cedar elms are a small variety of elm and have nothing to do with cedar. They get their name because the bark of the tree resembles that of the juniper, which also has nothing to do with cedar although it is called cedar in these parts.

All three of these trees are susceptible to a parasite called mistletoe. The sticky seeds of mistletoe are spread by birds and animals. The roots go deep into the wood and deform and weaken the tree and may eventually kill it.

But it is also a host plant of the great purple hairstreak butterfly and at least one bird makes its nest in mistletoe

Full of life when most other plants are at their lowest ebb, mistletoe is a symbol of life and fertility in Greek and Druidic mythology. Some say it was the golden bough in the story of Aeneas.

And as we all know anyone caught under the mistletoe is obliged to give up a kiss.

Filed in nature and environment | Monday, January 7th, 2008 | Permalink |

Comments (7)

  1. Annie in Austin wrote::

    Around here mistletoe seems to like Hackberry, too.

    Monday, January 7, 2008 at 1:03 pm #
  2. mss @ Zanthan Gardens wrote::

    Wasn’t mistletoe important to the Druids because in England it grow on oaks…one of their sacred trees? Anyway, two of my cedar elms are definitely in their final days and are covered in mistletoe, pretty much like your photo.

    Monday, January 7, 2008 at 8:39 pm #
  3. pablo wrote::

    Mistletoe is said to grow in some protected valleys in southern Missouri, but I’ve never seen it myself.

    Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at 7:09 am #
  4. Bill wrote::

    Although mistletoe thrives in the winter it actually does not like freezing temperatures, I’m told. So it’s more of a southern phenomenon. I had no idea.

    Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at 10:03 am #
  5. mary lou wrote::

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR BILLLLLL…
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!

    Sorry I forgot to make a card, I forgot all about our birthday until Tricia sent me an e-card!! Otherwise I would have even forgotten my OWN!!!

    Friday, January 11, 2008 at 2:40 am #
  6. Kathy wrote::

    I came to wish you a happy birthday, too.

    Friday, January 11, 2008 at 7:09 pm #
  7. Bill wrote::

    Oops, I’ve been outed. Yes it was my birthday yesterday. And it was Mary Lou’s also.

    Saturday, January 12, 2008 at 11:37 am #