And what's more, if you find that it's growing in your yard, it can kill your other shrubs and trees. "All parts of American mistletoe contain a toxic protein called phoratoxin," according to WebMD.

That’s why the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests require permits to harvest mistletoe. Found on oaks and pines, the plant siphons nutrients and water. While healthy trees can coexist ...

Indeed the spherical puffs do seem to more closely resemble mistletoe growth. It turns out the festive plant is actually a parasite, which The Tree Council says “grows in green clumps on various ...

For many people, Christmas is a time for decorating trees, hanging up wreaths and kissing under the mistletoe. But have you ever wondered where these botanical traditions come from? 'Tis the season ...

In Australia, mistletoe varieties have often been overlooked or treated as burdensome parasites leeching off native trees. Tiffany Mason, a senior ecologist with the NSW Biodiversity Conservation ...

Mistletoe is believed to be a symbol of life ... This seems really romantic, until you learn what the word means. The plant gets its name from the Old English words mistel, meaning dung, and ...