Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
12/6/99
Contacts:
Cindy Haynes, Horticulture Extension, (515) 294-4006,
chaynes@iastate.edu
Elaine Edwards, Extension Communication Systems, (515)
294-5168, eedwards@iastate.edu
Yard and Garden Column for the Week Beginning Dec. 10
Holiday Plant Traditions
By Cindy Haynes
Extension horticulturist
Iowa State University Extension
Christmas trees, poinsettias and mistletoe are but a few of the plants that are cherished each holiday season. But how did these plants and others become important to the holidays?
Christmas Tree
There are several legends concerning the origins of the Christmas tree. The tree tradition is older than Christianity and not exclusive to any one religion. The tree, a symbol of life and immortality, was thought to possess godlike powers by primitive cultures in Northern Europe.
The Romans adorned evergreen trees with small pieces of metal during Saturnalia, a winter festival in honor of Saturnus, their god of agriculture. In the Middle Ages, the Paradise tree, an evergreen decorated with red apples, was an important part in a play dramatizing the fall of Adam and Eve.
In the 16th century, Martin Luther was credited with decorating the first indoor tree. He was so impressed with an evergreen forest on a starry night that he brought a tree home and decorated it with candles. The first recorded reference to Christmas trees dates to 1604 when families in Strasburg, Germany, decorated fir trees with colored paper, fruits and sweets.
The tree tradition was brought to the United States by German immigrants and Hessian soldiers that were paid to fight the colonists in the Revolutionary War. They cut down evergreen trees from nearby forests and decorated them for Christmas. Franklin Pierce, our 14th President, brought the tradition to the White House. In 1882 in New York, Edward Johnson, a colleague of Thomas Edison, was the first to use electric bulbs to light a Christmas tree. More than 40 years later, President Calvin Coolidge started the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the White House lawn, firmly entrenching the tradition of a lighted tree for the holidays.
Poinsettias
Poinsettias are a relative newcomer to the American Christmas tradition. The poinsettia, a native of Mexico, was brought to Europe by Franciscan priests after the Spanish conquests. The colorful flowers were used in their nativity processions. The story goes that a poor Mexican child brought roadside weeds to the church for decoration since she could not afford anything else. Because her heart was pure, the weeds changed into the beautiful scarlet flowers, which the Mexicans call Flor de la Noche Buena, the Flower of the Holy Night.
Poinsettias derived their name from Joel Robert Poinsett who was the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. Poinsett brought cuttings home to his South Carolina home in 1825 and distributed them to his botanists friends. In the early 20th century, the Ecke family of Southern California is credited with the development and popularity of the poinsettia as the potted plant that we know today.
Mistletoe
Using mistletoe in Christmas decorations is a survival of the Druid and other pre-Christian traditions. Mistletoe, a parasitic plant with white berries, has been one of the most sacred plants of European folklore. It was once considered a bestower of life and fertility. A good mistletoe crop foretold Welsh farmers a good crop for the upcoming season. Mistletoe also was thought to help individuals who had problems bearing children.
Mistletoe has long been a symbol with both magical powers and medical properties. Mistletoe from sacred oaks was especially precious to ancient Celtic Druids. It was gathered at both mid-summer and winter solstices for indoor decoration. Mistletoe was so sacred to the Druids that if two enemies were to meet under it, they had to lay down their weapons and observe a truce until the following day.
There are many other varied traditions associated with mistletoe. It was used to ward off evil spirits and prevent the entrance of witches during the Middle Ages. It was thought to bring good luck to the entire herd of cattle when given to the first cow that calved in the New Year. At one time people thought mistletoe could extinguish fire. It was considered a protectant against poison (although the berries are considered poisonous themselves) and an aphrodisiac. It has been used as a treatment for pleurisy, gout, epilepsy and rabies.
The name mistletoe came from a mistake made long ago. In ancient times it was observed that mistletoe would often arise on tree branches where birds had left droppings. This led to the belief that mistletoe was propagated from bird droppings. "Mistel" is the Ango-Saxon word for "dung" and "tan" is the word for "twig." Hence, mistletoe means "dung-on-a-twig." It was later found that mistletoe was propagated by seeds instead of spontaneously arising from dung.
The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe began in England. It was believed that kissing under the mistletoe increased the possibility of marriage in the upcoming year. After every kiss, a berry was removed from the bunch and discarded. When the berries were gone, the kissing would stop. Needless to say, plentiful bunches were sought for holiday festivities.
Other plants such as holly, Christmas rose (Hellebore), rosemary, ivy, bay laurel, frankincense and myrrh also are included in many traditions and legends this holiday season. Unfortunately, there is never enough time to write about them all. But let's not forget the Christmas pickle! This unusual ornament is the last to be hung on the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. The first child to find the pickle on Christmas morning would receive an extra little gift left by St. Nicholas for being so observant.
So as you are finishing decorating your home and tree this season start a few traditions of your own. Happy Holidays!
ml: isugarden
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