Sorry, I'd like to kiss you, but...

[HeadlessBill]

Dec 15, 10:49 AM (ET)

LONDON (Reuters) - An outbreak of opportunistic mistletoe rustling is threatening a Christmas kissing crisis, British environmental experts said Wednesday.

The Wildlife Trusts said over-harvesting of the plant that only grows in the wild and is mainly found on old apple trees meant it was becoming increasingly rare.

"Mistletoe is being taken in increasingly large quantities from orchards, hedgerows and ancient trees to be sold at markets to Christmas shoppers," said The Wildlife Trusts -- a partnership of 47 British wildlife organizations.

"There are cases of mistletoe rustling, and once the whole plant has been removed from its host tree it won't grow back."

The parasitic green plant with white berries has been associated with fertility since the time of the ancient Druids and kissing under the mistletoe has long been a Christmas party tradition.

[malcolm]

why not by fake mistletoe?

[HeadlessBill]

I'm more amused by the mistletoe rustling.

I find news articles like this to be inspirational when trying to come up with a story idea or put in a new twist in something I'm already writing.

[MistressJennifer]

Where is your headshot? I'm waiting... I guess it takes longer without a head, huh?

[MistressJennifer]

Hey listen Headless Bill, if you need a headshot and you don't have a head, they can always put on one in photoshop!

[keiko]

I'm lucky, my mom's oak tree is full o' misletoe and used to give us extra allowence to pull it down and she'd give it out to our neighbors with big bows on it for the holidays.

But Misletoe rustling is funny.
K

[KilLAtomiK]

heh evry year i tape mistle toe to my belt buckle, so far its only worked twice

[mmmcherry]

oh yeah only twice... youre probly the only person alive that its worked on...