xmas

[tangosawer]

where did the plant mistletoe originate

[kosoro]

It's a Eurasion parasitic shrub

Mistletoe
Origins of its name - The common name of the plant is derived from the ancient belief that mistletoe was propagated from bird droppings. This belief was related to the then-accepted principle that life could spring spontaneously from dung. It was observed in ancient times that mistletoe would often appear on a branch or twig where birds had left droppings. "Mistel" is the Anglo-Saxon word for "dung," and "tan" is the word for "twig". So, mistletoe means "dung-on-a-twig".

[Jomes]

Just adding to what kosoro says. Mistletoe seeds are very sticky and some get pressed into gaps in the trees bark when the bird cleans its beak (such as the Mistle Thrush). Check out the Wikipedia entry on it http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mistletoe

[tangosawer]

so does it come from europe then if so where

[shaneystar2]

It also comes from North Africa , parts of Europe and also North America.There are so many varieties world wide,it's a bit hard to define where the first actual mistletoe originated.
But the two most well known types mistletoe that are commonly used as a Christmas decoration (Phoradendron flavescens) is native to North America and grows as a parasite on trees from New Jersey to Florida. The other type of mistletoe, Viscum album, is of European origin. Where in Europe is a bit hazy..but the Romans knew it as sticky..viscum.So perhaps it originates from Italy or Greece in Europe.
The oak mistletoe was venerated by theCelts and Germans so perhaps its from around there or Scandanavia.