Poinsettia, A Gift From A Friend

Carol Come To The Garden

The poinsettia was brought to the United States from Mexico around 1828 by Joel Roberts Poinsett. An avid gardener and amateur botanist, Poinsett was appointed as the first US Minister to Mexico in 1825. While in Mexico, Poinsett observed this species flowering and sent plants back to his greenhouse in Charleston. Until that time, this species was unknown outside of its native range of Mexico and Guatemala, where it was referred to as flor de nochebuena (Christmas Eve flower). Once introduced to the U.S., it quickly gained the common name poinsettia, but is also known by many other common names including Christmas flower, Christmas star, lobster plant, painted leaf, and Mexican flame leaf.

This species has a reputation for being extremely poisonous. While there is little doubt that the milky latex of poinsettias can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, mucus membranes, or when consumed, to the digestive system, poinsettia is apparently one of the less toxic species of Euphorbia. Of reported human exposure, there were no fatalities.

Source:  The Neighborhood Gardner, University of Florida

The other day a friend came to visit with a fresh poinsettia in her hands.  She knows how much I love flowers.

I placed it on the corner stand in the dining room.

The “flower petals” are actually leaves, and they change color due to the shorter hours of sunlight.

Happy Holidays!

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Carol

I was raised in Tennessee but have lived in Florida for many years. Love my small home in the Tampa Bay area and its developing garden. My decorating style is eclectic - some vintage, some cottage, all with a modern flair. Pursuing a healthier lifestyle. Spent many years in social services but am happily retired.

23 thoughts to “Poinsettia, A Gift From A Friend”

  1. The poinsettia is a beautiful plant that we associate with Christmas. It’s good to have one in the home at this time. Yours is lovely. Wishing you a very happy Christmas!

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  4. What a lovely gift. I miss not having them in the house (Lizzie issue). But I guess I’d rather have Lizzie the Plant Eater if I had a choice. Still, this is stunning.

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  5. Carol – how blessed you are to have such a friend! It has been many years since I have had a poinsettia in the house. Maybe next year. Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday, and a very merry Christmas to you and yours!

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  6. I’ve never been able to keep a Poinsettia much longer than the few months after Christmas, but I didn’t know they were poisonous. Have a lovely Christmas. I am joining you at Mosaic Monday today.

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  7. Merry Christmas Carol! _ We Wish You a Merry♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Christmas♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪
    We Wish You a Merry ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Christmas ♥ ♥ ♥ We Wish You A Merry ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Christmas ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ And a Happy New Year!!!

    Reply

  16. They are beautiful, my cousin used to buy enormous ones for my mother every Christmas and I kind of miss them. Yours is gorgeous and that’s an interesting history, I never really thought about how it got its name. I hope you have fun and relaxing and Merry Christmas, Carol.

    Reply

I love to make new friends and get to know you.

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