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Article #142: Poinsettia Plants - America's Favorite Holiday Flowers

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A Nineteenth Century American Immigrant the vast majority of which originate from
Poinsettias are native to Mexico, where the Paul Ecke Ranch in California.
they grow wild, and were first introduced Are Poinsettias Poisonous?
to the United States in 1825 by Joel Some mistakenly believe poinsettias are
Robert Poinsett, amateur botanist and poisonous. But, researchers at Ohio
first ambassador to Mexico. Poinsett State University have proved the
brought some cuttings to his plantation poinsettia to be non-toxic to both humans
in Greenwood, South Carolina. The rest is and pets. In fact, out of 22,793
history. Today, National Poinsettia Day, reported poinsettia exposures studied by
Dec. 12, commemorates Poinsett and the Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh and
plant he made famous on the anniversary Carnegie Mellon University, there was no
of his death in 1851. toxicity significance found. Even pet
A Charming Holiday Legend lovers need not ban the poinsettia from
The legend of the poinsettia dates back their homes. Keeping the plant out of
to a Christmas Eve centuries ago, when a reach of pets is a good idea, however, to
little girl named Pepita had no gift to avoid stomach upset from the fibrous
present to the Christ child. On her way tissues, especially among feline friends.
to the church she gathered up weeds along Like most decorative blooming plants,
the road. Then, a miracle unfolded. As the poinsettia is not meant to be eaten
she approached the alter, the weeds and can certainly cause discomfort if
bloomed into vibrant flowers -- Flores de ingested.
Noche Buena or Flowers of the Holy Night. Selecting the Perfect Poinsettia Plant
The Aztecs called the poinsettia Poinsettias range in price from under $10
Cuetlaxochitl. They made a reddish purple to over $100, based on size, variety,
dye from the bracts. In Chile and Peru, shape, quality, and decorative trim.
the poinsettia is known as the Crown of When selecting poinsettias, look for
the Andes. Poinsettias have also been plants with thoroughly colored and
referred to as the Flame Leaf Flower. In expanded bracts, plentiful green foliage,
nature, they're a perennial flowering strong stems, and no signs of wilting.
shrub that can grow up to ten feet in Care and handling is easy. Poinsettias
height. like indirect sunlight, room
Poinsettias Today temperatures, and light to moderate soil
Today, poinsettias range in color from moisture. Over watering and excessive
white to pink to traditional red, with temperatures are the most common causes
shades of peach and yellow in between, of any problems. Simply avoid cold
with more than 100 varieties available. drafts, excessive heat, or soggy soil.
Newer varieties boast marbled, flecked, With a little care, poinsettias last
and even wrinkled bracts (the colored through Christmas and beyond, making them
portion of the plant). They're grown in a terrific value, as well as a popular
all fifty states, from tiny plantings, gift and favorite holiday decoration.






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