Poinsettia

For other uses, see Poinsettia (disambiguation).

Poinsettia
A potted plant sits against a white background. Its terminal leaves are crimson red, while the others are dark green.
Green stalks with green leaves, shooting straight up. Not more than a few feet tall, with clusters of red leaves at their tips
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Euphorbia
Species:
E. pulcherrima
Binomial name
Euphorbia pulcherrima
Willd. ex Klotzsch

The poinsettia (/pɔɪnˈsɛt(i)ə/;[1][2][3] Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a commercially important flowering plant species of the diverse spurge family Euphorbiaceae. Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, the poinsettia was first described by Europeans in 1834. It is particularly well known for its red and green foliage and is widely used in Christmas floral displays. It derives its common English name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States minister to Mexico, who is credited with introducing the plant to the US in the 1820s. Poinsettias are shrubs or small trees, with heights of 0.6 to 4 m (2.0 to 13.1 ft). Though often stated to be highly toxic, the poinsettia is not dangerous[4] to pets or children. Exposure to the plant, even consumption, most often results in no effect,[5] though it can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.[4]

Wild poinsettias occur from Mexico to southern Guatemala, growing on mid-elevation, Pacific-facing slopes. One population in the Mexican state of Guerrero is much further inland, however, and is thought to be the ancestor of most cultivated populations. Wild poinsettia populations are highly fragmented, as their habitat is experiencing largely unregulated deforestation. They were cultivated by the Aztecs for use in traditional medicine. They became associated with the Christmas holiday and are popular seasonal decorations. Every year in the United States, approximately 70 million poinsettias of many cultivated varieties are sold in a six-week period. Many of these poinsettias are grown by Paul Ecke Ranch, which serves half the worldwide market and 70 percent of the US market.

  1. ^ Wells, John C. (1990). Longman Pronunciation Dictionary. Harlow, England: Longman. ISBN 978-0-582-05383-0. entry "poinsettia"
  2. ^ "poinsettia". Dictionary.com. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
  3. ^ "poinsettia". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. September 2006. Retrieved December 30, 2022. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference poison was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Krenzelok was invoked but never defined (see the help page).