Poinsettias are
one of the few crops that are grown commercially in all 50 states.
California takes tops honors with about 27% of all potted poinsettias
being grown in the state. 65 million are sold nationally every year, which
accounts for about one third of all flowering potted plant sales! 150
million are sold worldwide, and about 80% of all that are sold are
red.
Poinsettias are
native to Southern Mexico and Central America. Mexican folklore tells of a
poor young girl who had no present to give to the Christ Child at Christmas
Eve services. On her way to the church, she gathered a bouquet of weeds
from along the roadside. As she approached the altar with her humble gift,
the weeds in the bouquet were transformed into brilliant red blossoms. The
flowers are known as the Flores de la Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy
Night, and only bloom during the Christmas season.
What most of us think of
as flowers on a poinsettia are in fact not flowers at all. The brilliant
red colors we see are actually modified leaves, or bracts. The true
flowers are small and yellow, clustered together at the center of bracts.
The Aztec actually used these red leaves to make dyes for their
clothing.
Poinsettias were first
introduced to the United States in 1825 by the first Ambassador to Mexico,
Dr. Joel R. Poinsett. While the Latin name Euphorbia pulcherrima means
"the most beautiful euphorbia", the name Poinsettia stuck in
celebration of their discoverer. In fact, in 1851, an act of Congress
declared December 12th National Poinsettia Day to honor the passing of Dr.
Poinsett.
Poinsettias are not
poisonous! Though often given a bad rap, repeated studies by universities
and the National Poison Center have shown that a 50lb child could eat over
500 bracts and only have a mild tummy ache. In 1992 the poinsettia was
included on the list of houseplants most helpful in removing pollutants
from indoor air. Not only are poinsettias safe and beautiful, but during
the holidays they help provide a breath of safe, clean air!
Poinsettias are
one of the few crops that are grown commercially in all 50 states.
California takes tops honors with about 27% of all potted poinsettias
being grown in the state. 65 million are sold nationally every year, which
accounts for about one third of all flowering potted plant sales! 150
million are sold worldwide, and about 80% of all that are sold are
red.
Poinsettias are
native to Southern Mexico and Central America. Mexican folklore tells of a
poor young girl who had no present to give to the Christ Child at Christmas
Eve services. On her way to the church, she gathered a bouquet of weeds
from along the roadside. As she approached the altar with her humble gift,
the weeds in the bouquet were transformed into brilliant red blossoms. The
flowers are known as the Flores de la Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy
Night, and only bloom during the Christmas season.
What most of us think of
as flowers on a poinsettia are in fact not flowers at all. The brilliant
red colors we see are actually modified leaves, or bracts. The true
flowers are small and yellow, clustered together at the center of bracts.
The Aztec actually used these red leaves to make dyes for their
clothing.
Poinsettias were first
introduced to the United States in 1825 by the first Ambassador to Mexico,
Dr. Joel R. Poinsett. While the Latin name Euphorbia pulcherrima means
"the most beautiful euphorbia", the name Poinsettia stuck in
celebration of their discoverer. In fact, in 1851, an act of Congress
declared December 12th National Poinsettia Day to honor the passing of Dr.
Poinsett. 
Poinsettias are not
poisonous! Though often given a bad rap, repeated studies by universities
and the National Poison Center have shown that a 50lb child could eat over
500 bracts and only have a mild tummy ache. In 1992 the poinsettia was
included on the list of houseplants most helpful in removing pollutants
from indoor air. Not only are poinsettias safe and beautiful, but during
the holidays they help provide a breath of safe, clean air!