American plants closely resembling Old World mistletoe
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Old World parasitic shrub having branching greenish stems with leathery leaves and waxy white glutinous berries; the traditional mistletoe of Christmas
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shrub of central and southeastern Europe; partially parasitic on beeches, chestnuts and oaks
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Mistletoe \Mis"tle*toe\, n. [AS. mistelt[=a]n; mistel mistletoe + t[=a]n twig. AS. mistel is akin of D., G., Dan. & Sw. mistel, OHG. mistil, Icel. mistilteinn; and AS. t[=a]n to D. teen, OHG. zein, Icel. teinn, Goth. tains. Cf. {Missel}.] (Bot.) A parasitic evergreen plant of Europe ({Viscum album}), bearing a glutinous fruit. When found upon the oak, where it is rare, it was an object of superstitious regard among the Druids. A bird lime is prepared from its fruit. [Written also {misletoe}, {misseltoe}, and {mistleto}.] --Lindley. --Loudon.
Note: The mistletoe of the United States is {Phoradendron serotinum} (syn. {Phoradendron flavescens}), having broader leaves than the European kind. In different regions various similar plants are called by this name. The mistletoe is used as a decoration at Christmas time, and it is a tradition that two persons of the oposite sex finding each other under a mistletoe sprig should kiss. [1913 Webster +PJC]
One aspect of Nast's Santa Claus did not make it to the 20th century _ "Nast always put a sprig of mistletoe on his cap," Robertson said.
Mistletoe is simply mistletoe, on a two-pronged branch without any scope for debate about British Standards or quality guarantees.