Poinsettias for Christmas

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

Poinsettia is toxic to cats and dogs and causes gastric distress.

Several poinsettias were placed on my front porch as I get ready for Christmas.

Red poinsettias really brighten the season.

I’m wishing you a beautiful Christmas and New Year.

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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.

22 thoughts to “Poinsettias for Christmas”

  1. I’m not a huge fan of poinsettias but I have bought one to give a friend for her birthday. It does look nice on my kitchen counter so maybe I’ll buy myself one too!

    #MMBC

  2. The Poinsettia is here again in our Home. We love this bloom to this magical season. We call this Weihnachtsstern – translated so called Christmas Star.

    Happy MosaicMonday ⭐ Have a good week.

  3. They are such beautiful flowers. I’ve seen them lately in many colors but I love red the best. When my husband and I visited Mexico on a cruise I was happy to see many poinsettias in a town square, as they flourish there. Happy December–enjoy the holiday season!

  4. Poinsettias are so pretty, and the brachts come in several colors now (white, pink, white and red speckled). But the red still, for me, the most decorative. I try to keep them alive through the summer (not hardy where I live) as I like them so.

  5. Carol – Sorry for the delay in commenting – I had to make an emergency visit to Ohio to visit my brother in the hospital.

    At the hospital, they had an amazing bank of LARGE poinsettias, so perfect they almost did not look real! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!

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