However, anaphylactic reactions are known, so it's important to watch for indications of a reaction to the plant. However, its use is not approved by the FDA. Species of mistletoe are present in both North America and Europe. This plant has paired, oval leaves and yellow-green flowers. Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. It’s been known to cause blurred vision, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Viscum album (European mistletoe) should not to be confused with American mistletoe (Phoradendron tomentosum). Is Mistletoe Poisonous? Division – angiosperms (Magnoliophyta) The answer is that the risk of poisoning depends on the type of mistletoe and what part of the plant is eaten. There is only one species of mistletoe in Europe: European or Common Mistletoe (Viscum album). The American mistletoe is less toxic than the European varieties of it. Class – eudicots (Rosopsida) The leaves and berries contain the highest concentration of toxic chemicals. The white berries of mistletoe plants are poisonous to humans but valuable food to many other species. ...mistletoe contains the poison lectin, which strengthens the body's immune reaction against cancer and even slows tumor growth? European mistletoe ingestion has caused cases of poisonings and sometimes deaths. Although mistletoe can be dangerous, it also has therapeutic uses. Discover surprising insights and little-known facts about politics, literature, science, and the marvels of the natural world. (The plants aren’t poisonous to chickens, of course.) But the other side of this botanical coin is all species of mistletoe are poisonous. Some studies indicate mistletoe may be useful in treating cancer, although further evidence is needed. The Phoradendron species contain a toxin called phoratoxin, which can cause blurred vision, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, blood pressure changes, and even death. Most adults can eat a few berries without harm, but children and pets are at risk of poisoning. The European variety has a documented history of being highly poisonous to humans and pets. Often used as a symbol of renewal because it stays green all winter, mistletoe is famed for its stolen-kisses power. All of them produce toxic compounds. In the fall and winter, the plant bears clusters of white berries that have a waxy appearance. A well known parasitic evergreens for its supposed medicinal and perceived magical properties. A study of 1754 American mistletoe exposures revealed none resulted in death, even though 92% of the cases involved children. ...mistletoe is one of the symbols of Christmas, and tradition states that it brings fortune and blessings to a home? She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Many of the other mistletoe species live in tropical and subtropical climates in different parts of the world. Basic information: The plant so associated with love is actually a hermiparasite that feeds off other plants as well as the sun. The poisonous qualities of mistletoe have not been conclusively proven; only larger quantities are known to cause diarrhea and stomachaches. While kissing under the mistletoe is perfectly acceptable, eating the plant or its berries is not a good idea. It uses its special root-like organs (haustoria) to steal nutrients, water and minerals from its host. They have different toxic ingredients but both can do harm. But, the European mistletoe is more poisonous than its American counterpart Mistletoe Poisoning is the accidental or intentional intake of the leaves of the plant The Viscum species of mistletoe contain a slightly different cocktail of chemicals, including the poisonous alkaloid tyramine, which produce essentially the same symptoms. ...Celtic druids regarded mistletoe as sacred, believed that it was capable of curing all ailments, and used it as a cure for infertility? Mistletoe Toxic Components Both mistletoe species are toxic to horses. Jacky Parker Photography/Moment/Getty Images. However, American mistletoe isn't as toxic. The European mistletoe is most abundant on apple trees, poplars, willows, lindens, and hawthorns. American mistletoe (Phoradendron flavescen) is the type that grows in the United States and is used as a romantic holiday decoration, while European mistletoe (Viscum album) is the species that has been used for centuries in traditional herbal medicine. They are common holiday symbols sold frequently during the winter holiday season. In the USA, the FDA has not approved the use of mistletoe. The Viscum species of mistletoe contain a slightly different cocktail of chemicals, including the poisonous alkaloid tyramine, which produce essentially the same symptoms. Mistletoe is an angiosperm, living as a hemi-parasite on other plants. Mistletoes contain glycoprotein lectins that can inhibit protein synthesis, leading to cell death; although these lectins are of the same class as the very toxic ricin found in castor beans (Ricinus communis), the lectins in Phoradendron are much less toxic. Another study of 92 cases reported to poison control centers revealed no cases of death, even though up to 20 berries and 5 leaves were eaten. All are hemiparasitic plants that grow on host trees, such as oak and pine. Branches are forked and break easily. Out of the two most common varieties of mistletoe, it’s the European (Viscum album) that is actually a poisonous plant. According to the National Capital Poison Center’s recent studies describing American mistletoe exposures (mainly by young children at Christmas), you’d have to eat a whole lot of berries to … In the wild, the two varieties of mistletoe most often hung at Christmas both parasitize deciduous trees. As a parasitic plant, it grows on the branches or trunk of a tree and actually sends out roots that penetrate into the tree and take up nutrients. Isn’t mistletoe poisonous? The symptoms are caused by a … Aside from its parasitic nature, every part of the plant is poisonous when ingested, particularly that of the European variant of the plant. It appears that American Phoradendron mistletoe is less toxic than the European species Viscum album. The plant is known to be mildly toxic in nature. Type of poison – polypeptides. The European variety is Viscum album and the common mistletoe in the US is Phoradendron serotinum. 1 Phoratoxins and ligatoxin A found in mistletoe are small proteins that can act as cardiac depressants, causing hypotension, bradycardia, and decreased … Mistletoe tea and berries made in tea may be used to treat hypertension at a dose of 10 g/day. Berries from this holiday plant contain polysaccharides, alkaloids, and lectins. Pretty poison. The plant is not recommended for patients who have leukemia, brain tumors, or malignant lymphoma or for lactating or pregnant women. Further study is needed. The risk of poisoning is higher for children and particularly for pets. ...the custom of kissing under mistletoe was brought to Germany by British mercenaries? Only European mistletoe can be used therapeutically, as American mistletoe is unsafe. Mistletoe is poisonous Eating any part of the plant can cause drowsiness, blurred vision, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, weakness and seizures. European mistletoe is missing crucial components of its electron transport chain, leading researchers to conclude that mistletoe steals sugar from its host plants instead of making the energy molecule ATP from scratch. While mistletoe is not used in the United States, an injectable form of the plant is available in Europe as an adjuvant cancer therapy. By using ThoughtCo, you accept our, How the Sixth Mass Extinction Affects the U.S. Economy, Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College. Consumption of a large number of berries is extremely dangerous and warrants a call to Poison Control. The poisonous qualities of mistletoe have not been conclusively proven; only larger quantities are … With over 1500 varieties of Mistletoe in the world, some are more toxic than others. There are two general types of poisonous mistletoe that are sold for Christmas. Mistletoe Is… Poisonous. The Mistletoe plant contains Phoratoxin and Viscotoxin, which are both poisonous proteins when ingested. Mistletoe, however, is more commonly found growing as a parasitic pla… It is popular at Christmas due to its association with kissing under the mistletoe. In one case, a child suffered a seizure, but researchers were unable to definitively link it to mistletoe consumption. A liquid extract containing key medicinal components of the mistletoe plant has also been used for decades to treat cancer, mainly in Europe and parts of Asia. Mistletoe is also used in veterinary herbal medicine. Most of the risk comes from the effect the proteins in the plan have on the cardiovascular system. There are several species of mistletoe, including Viscum album (European mistletoe) and Viscum album coloratum (Korean […] ...some Christians believe that mistletoe was originally a tree, but withered into a small bush, because the cross on which Jesus was executed was cut from mistletoe wood? Toxic parts: Berries are the most dangerous but all parts are toxic Mistletoe is a group of hemiparasitic plants that live on trees with a worldwide distribution. Several species of mistletoe contain poisonous ingredients called phoratoxin and viscotoxin which, if consumed, can cause drowsiness, blurred vision, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, weakness and even seizures — a bit like eggnog, only worse. Mistletoe plants, both American and European, contain toxins that are damaging to the cell structure. For the purists out there, most of what you can buy in the way of live mistletoe is the European species (Viscum album) which would have been the species favored by those dancing Druids. This entry only refers to poisoning from the ingestion of plant material from Viscum album and not Phoradendron tomentosum. It can grow on deciduous or coniferous trees, dependent on the subspecies. In fact, although until recently American mistletoe was widely considered to be as poisonous as the European species, downing a few berries is likely to lead to no more than a stomachache. Distribution – Europe, Asia (Viscum album) Only in nursing infants can poisoning have more severe consequences. Their parasitic lifestyle has led to some dramatic changes in their metabolism. Ingesting the leaves or berries of European mistletoe can cause vomiting, difficulty breathing, shock and even death . European Mistletoe - Viscum album - image is under CC-BY-SA, from The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Mistletoe in crown of tree - image is under CC-BY-NC-SA, from Malcolm Storey. Enter Phoradendron serotinum, otherwise known as Eastern Mistletoe — which does grow wild in North America. There is only one species of mistletoe in Europe: European or Common Mistletoe (Viscum album). Because of its vampiric tendencies, … All parts of the plant are toxic (that’s berries, stem and leaves). European mistletoe ingestion has caused cases of poisonings and sometimes deaths. For the most part, mistletoe therapies are used in healthy adults, although there are reports of successful use in pediatric patients. Avoid consuming raw mistletoe of any variety, as it can be poisonous and induce vomiting, seizures, slowed heart rate and even death. The plant originally named mistletoe, Viscum … The European variety of mistletoe has oval leaves and small clumps of 2-5 white berries. The pods are tiny, irregular berries, white to yellow in color. However, it's important to remember the species in Europe (Viscum album) is less toxic than the species found in America (Phoradendron serotinum). Mistletoe is used to treat high blood pressure and cancer. Many of us know someone who ate a berry or two as a kid and lived to tell the tale. As opposed to true parasites, it also uses photosynthesis to create its own organic substances. The plant has been used medicinally in Europe for hundreds of years to treat arthritis, high blood pressure, epilepsy, and infertility. These are the most common, the mistletoe family contains over 900 species. The leaves and berries of European mistletoe are poisonous. When accidentally ingested by our pets, mistletoe poisoning can result in mild signs of gastrointestinal … Locally common in the UK, European Mistletoe as it name suggests is the only Mistletoe species native to Great Britain and Europe. European Mistletoe. V. album is not native to or sold in the US, but it could be privately imported. Mistletoe isn’t known to kill humans, but it can cause drowsiness, blurred vision, vomiting, and even seizures. Viscum album is a species of mistletoe in the family Santalaceae, commonly known as European mistletoe, common mistletoe or simply as mistletoe (Old English mistle). The literature on the European variety includes reports of serious poisonings and deaths, usually due to excessive concentrated herbal use such as brewing mistletoe in tea. But the plant also is important to … Other species of mistletoe will have differing medical properties and may be dangerous. Mistletoe is the common name for obligate hemiparasitic plants in the order Santalales. In folk medicine, it has been used for its cardiovascular properties. The plant grows as a semi-spherical tuft on trees. These berries, and those of other mistletoes, contain toxic compounds poisonous to many animals and to humans. The leaves and berries contain the highest concentration of dangerous chemicals. That being said, the average healthy adult can tolerate a few berries. The berry, leaf, and stem of European mistletoe are used to make medicine. There are several species of mistletoe. A study of 1754 American mistletoe exposures revealed none resulted in death, even though 92% of the cases involved children. Were they just lucky or is it okay to eat a few berries? Mistletoe IS poisonous, although it is doubtful as to whether it will actually cause death. European mistletoe (Viscum album) as well as American mistletoe (Phoradendron serotinum) are both evergreen parasitic perennials with white or translucent berries, that grow on the trunks and branches of deciduous trees. However, American mistletoe isn't as toxic. There is particular confusion sometimes in North America, where local mistletoe species (especially Phoradendron) may be significantly more poisonous than our European variety. Injectable mistletoe extract is widely used in Europe but is n… The irony of this is not lost on us at all. In humans, the poisoning symptoms also include hallucinations, which may account for the erratic behavior in other animals as well. Overview Information European mistletoe is a plant that grows on several different trees. Mistletoe is especially interesting botanically because it is a partial parasite (a \"hemiparasite\"). Mistletoe toxicity is unusual in cattle. Clinical efficacy has not been established. Is mistletoe really poisonous? It can grow on deciduous or coniferous trees, dependent on the subspecies. The leaves and berries contain the highest concentration of toxic chemicals. There are several types of mistletoe which can be poisonous to pets: Phoradendron serotinum (American variety) and Viscum album (European variety). It is even used to kill cancer cells and help recovery from chemotherapy treatments. It has a significant role in European mythology, legends, and customs. But mistletoe is also capable for growing on its own; like other plants it can produce its own food by photosynthesis. Check your species! ...the substance viscin, extracted from mistletoe sap was used to trap birds, due to its sticky property (birdlime). ...mistletoe is a hemi-parasitic plant, living on various kinds of trees? ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Mistletoe has been used to treat cancer, although there is a lack of quality clinical trials and little evidence of an effect. The species that is most commonly associated with Christmas is the European mistletoe, or Viscum album. Distinguishing marks: This plant is poisonous. The toxins responsible can be found in the leaves and berries of the plant. They are attached to their host tree or shrub by a structure called the haustorium, through which they extract water and nutrients from the host plant. European mistletoe, like man… Do remember that this site is mostly about European Mistletoe, Viscum album, and any medical issues described relate to that species only. 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