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It may have been windy and cold, but 24 brave souls recently bundled up for the North Carolina Estuarium’s mistletoe roving tours. It was a fun opportunity for folks to test their skills in locating the parasitic plant along the banks of the Pamlico River.

“It is native to the area, and since it is an evergreen, it makes it easier to spot it during this time of year,” said Katie McCullough, curator at the North Carolina Estuarium. “We set out from the Estuarium and headed upriver to Bear Creek in search of mistletoe. If it was hanging over the River and we were able to get the boat up to where we could cut some, we did and gave it to those on tour.”

McCullough said the tour also provided the opportunity to share some of the lore about the plant. “For most, when you say mistletoe, it conjures up the images of stealing a kiss under it,” said McCullough. “However, there is a lot of lore associated with it. In addition to stealing a kiss the Norse also believed if they were engaged in fighting under a tree with mistletoe, they had to cease fighting for the day, or it would be bad luck for them, so they would call a truce. The Greeks and Romans also used it for medicine. And for many, it simply represents good luck and peace.”

In all, it was a fun-filled three days for the group of hearty souls as they bundled up on a crisp fall day in search of mistletoe along the banks of the Pamlico River.