Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are popular holiday plants with a rich history and unique traits:
- Bracts, not petals: The colorful red or white portions are modified leaves, while the actual flowers are the tiny yellow centers.
- Native growth: In Mexico and Central America, they grow as large shrubs or trees up to 15 feet tall.
- Cultural and historical roots: Aztecs used the plant (cuetlaxóchitl) for dye and medicinal sap. U.S. Ambassador Joel Roberts Poinsett introduced them to the U.S. in the 1820s, leading to National Poinsettia Day on December 12.
- Care and safety: They require long periods of darkness to color their bracts and are non-lethal, though their sap can cause mild irritation.
- Commercial impact: They represent America’s top-selling potted plant with over 100 cultivated varieties.
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