The 'Flower Plant' Is the Art of Growing Beautiful Flowers.

Poinsettias, often called the 'Flowers of the Holy Night,' are a vibrant symbol of the Christmas season. While the art of growing beautiful flowers, or 'flower plant,' encompasses many species, poinsettias stand out for their rich history and striking appearance, making them a popular choice for holiday decor.

The History of the Poinsettia

Poinsettias boast a rich and fascinating history. Native to Mexico, they were cultivated by the Aztecs of central Mexico long before European arrival. To them, the plant's brilliant red color symbolized purity. In the 17th century, Franciscan priests settling near Taxco also recognized the plant's beauty, associating its blooms with the festival of Christmas, leading to its Spanish name, Flores de Noche Buena, or 'Flowers of the Holy Night.'

Joel Robert Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, introduced poinsettias to the United States in 1825. During his diplomatic service, he discovered a stunning shrub with large red blooms, known locally as the 'Flower of Christmas Eve,' flourishing on Mexican hillsides. Poinsett sent cuttings to his home in Greenville, South Carolina, where they thrived in his greenhouse. He then shared them with botanical gardens and fellow horticulturists, including John Bartram of Philadelphia.

Bartram, in turn, supplied the plant to nurseryman Robert Buist, who initially sold it as Euphorbia Pulcherrima. However, the name 'poinsettia' became widely accepted in English-speaking countries, honoring Joel Poinsett. In the early 1900s, Paul Ecke revolutionized the plant's popularity by introducing the nation's first potted poinsettia, establishing a beloved holiday tradition. To this day, the Ecke family remains a dominant force in the poinsettia market, with the Paul Ecke Ranch in California reportedly growing over 80 percent of poinsettias for the U.S. wholesale market.

Are Poinsettias Poisonous?

Despite a persistent urban legend, poinsettias are generally not considered poisonous. This misconception originated from an unverified 1919 story about an army officer's two-year-old child supposedly dying after eating a poinsettia leaf, a claim that was never substantiated by medical or scientific evidence.

However, the plant's hollow stems contain a white, milky latex sap. This sap can be caustic and may cause eye or skin irritation, dermal reactions, and blistering in individuals sensitive to it. Therefore, it's wise to handle poinsettia stems with caution. If ingested, poinsettias may cause mild stomach discomfort, vomiting, or diarrhea. At worst, they are classified as 'possibly toxic,' meaning they pose a low risk of harm.