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