Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Mistletoe

MISTLETOE, Viscum album, a plant parasitic on the apple and other fruit trees, on the thorn, the oak, the poplar, the lime, the ash, etc. It sometimes kills the branch or even the tree on which it is a parasite. Its flowers in threes, inconspicuous, green; its berries globose or ovoid, yellow, viscid. Found in the United States, also in Europe, and the N. of Asia. The United States mistletoe differs from that found in Europe in the fact that it has much broader leaves. Bird-lime (q. v.) is made from the berries. It was deemed sacred by the Druids, and still finds a large market in the United States and England when preparation is being made for Christmas festivities and sports.