While waiting under the mistletoe for that kiss, you might look up and think about the other important functions of mistletoe. Ira Flatow, host of Science Friday, discusses mistletoe's non-holiday ...

Mistletoe has a dark side because some species are bad for the environment. “It can harm and kill trees,” said Nicole Keleher, forest health director.

But, botanically speaking, that’s what mistletoe is. There are some 1,300 species of this evergreen plant worldwide. ... Water pressure builds inside a dwarf mistletoe berry as it ripens.

By Kirsten Weir No kissing here White spruce with “witches’ brooms,” a tell-tale sign of mistletoe infection. Courtesy of Jaret Reblin For the white spruce tree (Picea glauca), mistletoe is the kiss ...

It turns out mistletoe in these parts doesn’t get shot — it shoots. And its frequent target is Christmas trees. Arceuthobeum pusillium grows on spruce trees (most frequently on black spruce), and less ...

New England’s cold winters keep dwarf mistletoe from taking hold here, she said, but that could change. “I think about climate change and wonder when is the tipping point. It could be a ...