Poinsettia

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Christmas star redirects here. For the Christian tradition, see Star of Bethlehem.

Poinsettia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Malpighiales Family: Euphorbiaceae Genus: Euphorbia Species: E. pulcherrima
Binomial name
Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch

The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), also known as the Mexican flame leaf, Christmas star, Noche Buena or Pascua, is a sub-tropical plant known for its striking red displays at Christmas time. It's often used as a floral Christmas decoration because of its festive colors, though its "flowers" are actually large bunches of colored leaves (modified bracts).

Poinsettias are native to southern Mexico and Central America. They are named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States ambassador to Mexico, who introduced the plant in the U.S. in 1825.

In the U.S., poinsettias can be found in the wild in Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

[edit] Description

Poinsettias are shrubs to small trees, typically reaching a height of 0.6 to 4 m (2 to 16 ft). The plant bears dark green dentate leaves that measure 7 to 16 cm (3 to 6 in) in length. The top leaves, known as bracts, are flaming red, pink, or white and are often mistaken as flowers. The actual flowers are the small yellow structures found in the center of each leaf bunch, which are called Cyathia.

Cultivars have been produced with orange, pale green, cream and marbled leaves.

There are over 100 varieties of poinsettias available, but 74% of Americans still prefer red poinsettias, 8% prefer white, and 6% prefer pink (The Poinsettia Pages, University of Illinois Extension).

In Nahuatl, the plant is called Cuitlaxochitl meaning excrement flower. This may be because birds would eat the seeds, and then they would appear to germinate from bird excrement.

[edit] The Poinsettia Monopoly in America

Until a few years ago, the Paul Ecke family of Encinitis, California had a virtual monopoly on poinsettias. The reason: a technological secret that made it difficult for others to compete. One key to poinsettia profits is getting the plants to grow so that multiple branches come off one stem, creating a fuller, more colorful plant. The Eckes' technique, which involved grafting two varieties of poinsettia together, made it possible to get every seedling to branch. About 10 years ago, however, a university researcher discovered the phenomenon and published it; now everyone uses the same technique.

[edit] Cultivation

In areas outside its natural environment it is commonly grown as an indoor plant where it prefers good morning sun then shade in the hotter part of the day. However they are widely grown and very popular in subtropical climates such as Sydney, Australia.

As this is a subtropical plant, it will likely perish if the nighttime temperature falls below 10° C (50° F) so is not suitable for planting in the ground in milder climates. Likewise daytime temperatures in excess of 21° C (70° F) tend to shorten the lifespan of the plant.^{[citation needed]}

The Poinsettia can be difficult to induce to reflower after the initial display when purchased. The plant requires a period of uninterrupted long, dark nights for around two months in autumn in order to develop flowers. Incidental light at night during this time will hamper flower production.

[edit] Rumoured toxicity

In the United States and perhaps elsewhere, there is a common misconception that poinsettias are toxic. The origin of this could be found in the fact that most plants of the spurge genus are indeed toxic and also because the name of the plant seems to refer to the word poison. This misconception was spread by a 1919 urban legend of a two-year-old child dying after consuming a poinsettia leaf. While it is true that the plant is not very toxic, those sensitive to latex may suffer an allergic reaction and it is therefore not advisable to bring the plants into the home of sensitive individuals. If eaten, poinsettias may cause diarrhea and vomiting in animals and humans.

[edit] Poinsettias in legend

A Mexican legend explains how poinsettias came to be associated with Christmas. Apparently, a child who could not afford a gift to offer to Christ on Christmas Eve picked some weeds from the side of a road. The child was told that a humble gift, if given in love, would be acceptable in God's eyes. When brought into the church, the weeds bloomed into red and green flowers and the congregation felt they had witnessed a Christmas miracle.

[edit] Gallery

The bright red leaves resemble petals, dwarfing the clusters of tiny flowers in the center.

Poinsettia bush

A christmas tree of pointsettias in San Diego

[edit] External links

• Snopes on toxicity
• USDA PLANTS Database, Symbol EUPU9, E. pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch
• Poinsettia pages at the University of Illinois, UIUC
• Poinsettia Q&A from Master Gardener Kris

[edit] References

Cynthia Crossen, "Holiday's Ubiquitous Houseplant," Wall Street Journal, December 19, 2000.

[edit] Cocktail

• A poinsettia cocktail is a mixture of dry sparkling white wine, vodka, and cranberry juice.