Full Answer
What is the poisonous part of a poinsettia?
- Peace lily
- Calla lily
- Amaryllis
- Lily of the Valley
- Autumn Crocus
- Giant Dracaena
- Palm Lily
- Holly – the berry and leaf
- Mistletoe
How to make poinsettias bloom again next year?
- Reduce watering of your plant, but do not let the stems shrivel. ...
- In the spring, after all frost danger has passed, cut the poinsettia back to 6-8 inches in height and repot the plant into a bigger pot. ...
- As the plant grows, pinch the new growth to keep the plant compact and bushy. ...
What color are the flowers on a poinsettia plant?
- Enduring Pink
- Marks Pink
- Pink Cadillac
- Pink Elf
- Polly’s Pink
What is the story behind the Poinsettia?
Faith Talk Questions:
- Describe Lucida’s family. ...
- How does Lucida’s village celebrate Christmas? ...
- Why do you think Lucida’s mother was so honored to weave the new blanket for the Christmas procession?
- How do you think Lucida felt when she heard her mother was sick and her parents would not be home for Christmas? ...
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How many petal does a poinsettia have?
no petalsPoinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) flowers are found in tiny clusters at the center of the famously prominent bracts — modified leaves that many people assume to be flower petals. The actual flowers have no petals. Rather, they're curious-looking structures called cyathia, from the Greek for cup.
Do poinsettias have flowers or leaves?
The colorful “flowers” of poinsettias are actually modified leaves called “bracts.” Poinsettias grow well in moist soil and temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees F. They can be grown outdoors during summer. Poinsettias are not poisonous, but the sap may cause dermatitis.
Do poinsettias have leaves?
Though many think of the colored portion (usually red, but can be other colors) of the poinsettia as a flower, it is actually a collection of bracts, or modified leaves. Where the bracts come together in the center, there are small yellow flowers called cyathia.
Do poinsettia have petals?
The true flowers of poinsettias, called cyanthia, are small clusters of yellow blooms in the open center of the red floral bracts. These small flowers have no true petals attached, but are surrounded by red colored bracts, which are actually modified leaves.
Can a poinsettia survive without leaves?
Poinsettias are known for their colorful red bracts, but they are also known as temperamental plants. Dropped leaves are common, but with proper care, poinsettias with fallen foliage will recover their health.
How long can a poinsettia live?
two to three monthsHow Long Do Poinsettias Last? If cared for properly, a potted poinsettia can last for two to three months in your home. However, some home gardeners with a particularly green thumb may enjoy the challenge of caring for a poinsettia long after Christmas in hopes of a second bloom next holiday.
Is a poinsettia a tree?
Poinsettias are shrubs or small trees, with heights of 0.6–4 m (2.0–13.1 ft). Though often stated to be highly toxic, the poinsettia is not dangerous to pets or children. Exposure to the plant, even consumption, most often results in no effect, though it can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
How do poinsettias turn red?
To make them turn red, you need to restrain exposure to light. As early as September, place it in a room that is exclusively lit up by natural light, and check that it stays in complete darkness for 14 hours on a 24 hour day. Do this for eight weeks!
Are purple poinsettias real?
There are over 100 varieties of Poinsettias available. Though once only available in red, there are now Poinsettias in pink, white, yellow, purple, salmon, and multi-colors.
Are all poinsettias red?
Many people wonder what makes poinsettias turn red. It is actually the plant's leaves that provide its color through a process called photoperiodism. This process, in response to certain amounts of light or lack thereof, turns the leaves from green to red (or pink, white, and other shade variations).
Are there blue poinsettias?
ANSWER: Poinsettias with blue flowers are indeed real poinsettia plants. But there's a catch! The flowers are dyed to make them blue. It's a special dye that won't hurt the plant, so it continues to grow as usual if you take good care of it.
Is poinsettia a lucky plant?
While considered by the ancient Aztecs to be symbols of purity, in today's language of flowers, red, white or pink poinsettias, the December birth flower, symbolize good cheer and success and are said to bring wishes of mirth and celebration.
What is the national holiday of December 12?
In the US, December 12 is National Poinsettia Day, marking the anniversary of Joel Roberts Poinsett's death.
How much is a poinsettia worth?
Each year in the US, approximately 70 million poinsettias are sold in a period of six weeks, at a value of US$250 million. In Puerto Rico, where poinsettias are grown extensively in greenhouses, the industry is valued at $5 million annually.
How many varieties of poinsettias are there?
There are over 100 cultivated varieties of poinsettia that have been patented in the US. To produce extra axillary buds that are necessary for plants containing multiple flowers, a phytoplasma infection—whose symptoms include the proliferation of axillary buds—is used.
What diseases are associated with poinsettias?
Poinsettias are susceptible to several diseases, mostly fungal, but also bacterial and parasitic. Conditions that promote poinsettia propagation also favor certain diseases. Fungal diseases affecting greenhouse poinsettia operations include Pythium root rot, Rhizoctonia root and stem rot, black root rot, scab, powdery mildew, and Botrytis blight. Bacterial diseases include bacterial soft rot and bacterial canker, while a viral disease is Poinsettia mosaic virus. Infection by poinsettia branch-inducing phytoplasma is actually desirable, as it keeps the plants shorter with more flowers. It is the first known phytoplasma that has economically advantageous effects.
Why are poinsettias so fragmented?
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.
How long does it take for a poinsettia to change color?
The colors of the bracts are created through photoperiodism, meaning that they require darkness (at least fourteen hours at a time for 6–8 weeks in a row) to change color. The plants also require abundant light during the day for the brightest color. The flowers of the poinsettia are unassuming.
What is a poinsettia?
The poinsettia ( / pɔɪnˈsɛtiə / or / pɔɪnˈsɛtə /) ( Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a commercially important plant species of the diverse spurge family ( Euphorbiaceae ). Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, the poinsettia was first described by Europeans in 1834.
Why are poinsettias capitalized?
He sent cuttings of the plant he had discovered in Southern Mexico to his home in Charleston, South Carolina. The word Poinsettia is traditionally capitalized because it is named after a person.
Why did Montezuma have Poinsettias delivered to him by caravan to what is now Mexico City?
Montezuma, the last of the Aztec Kings, had Poinsettias delivered to him by caravan to what is now Mexico City, because Poinsettias could not be grown in the high altitude.
How long does it take for a poinsettia to change color?
The colors of the bracts are created through "photoperiodism", meaning that they require darkness (12 hours at a time for at least five days in a row) to change color. On the other hand, once Poinsettias finish that process, the plants require abundant light during the day for the brightest color.
How many varieties of poinsettias are there?
There are over 100 varieties of Poinsettias available. Though once only available in red, there are now Poinsettias in pink, white, yellow, purple, salmon, and multi-colors. They have names like 'Premium Picasso', 'Monet Twilight', 'Shimmer', and 'Surprise'.
What are the yellow flowers on a poinsettia?
The showy colored parts of Poinsettias that most people think of as the flowers are actually colored bracts (modified leaves). The yellow flowers, or cyathia, are in the center of the colorful bracts. The plant drops its bracts and leaves soon after those flowers shed their pollen. For the longest-lasting Poinsettias, choose plants with little or no yellow pollen showing.
What is the meaning of the Poinsettia in Spain?
In Spain the Poinsettia has a different holiday attribution. It is known there as "Flor de Pascua", meaning "Easter flower".
Where are the most poinsettias grown?
The Paul Ecke Ranch in California grows over 70% of all Poinsettias purchased in the United States and does about 50% of the world-wide sales of Poinsettias.
What was the poinsettia used for?
In the 14th-16th centuries, sap from the poinsettia was used medicinally to control fevers. Additionally, the colored bracts helped to create dye. One fateful day in 1828, Joel Roberts Poinsett, Mexico’s first United States Ambassador, found a bright red shrub by the side of the road. Impressed by the beauty and peculiarity of the plant, Poinsett brought cuttings from the roadside shrub back to his South Carolina greenhouse and the rest is history. Years later, horticulturist William Prescott was tasked with renaming the Euhporbia pulcherrima, as it had become quite a popular plant in the United States. Having recently studied Poinsett’s discovery, Prescott named the plant after Poinsett.
How long does it take for a poinsettia to change color?
In order for a poinsettia to change color, it needs twelve hours of darkness for at least five consecutive days. After the color change process has taken place, poinsettias need at least six hours of indirect sunlight per day to maintain their brightest color.
Why are my poinsettias turning yellow?
Poinsettias can turn yellow for various reasons. In order to best diagnose the problem, look at the roots. If the roots appear healthy, the poinsettia is probably not getting enough water and/or light. If the roots are discolored, the poinsettia may have root rot, often caused by overwatering.
How tall do poinsettias grow?
In Mexico, poinsettias grow in the wild as perennial shrubs or small trees. Growing this way, poinsettias can reach 10-15 feet in height.
What family is poinsettias in?
Poinsettias, or Euphorbia pulcherrima, are a part of one of the largest plant families, the Spurge family . The Spurge family is comprised of plants with simple flowers and varied leaves.
How much of the poinsettias are made by women?
Studies estimate that 80% of poinsettia sales are made by women.
How to pick a poinsettia?
When selecting a poinsettia, there are a number of factors to consider. Choose a plant with thoroughly colored bracts and foliage from bract tip to end of the stem. Be sure that the plant is full on all sides and that the bracts and leaves are not drooping. A stiff stem will be fairly indicative of durability. Lastly, check the yellow flowers in the center of the poinsettias. Try to pick plants whose flowers have not yet opened, as this will ensure a longer lasting plant.
How to keep poinsettias from growing in pots?
So, when you bring your poinsettia indoors after its spring and summer sojourn in the flower bed, be sure to transfer it into a larger planter. Repotting keeps the plant from becoming root-bound. Choose a new pot about two inches wider and an inch or two deeper than your current pot to give your poinsettia’s roots room to spread out during the coming fall growing season and help stimulate foliage growth and bloom production.
What color should a poinsettia be?
When shopping for a poinsettia, choose a stocky plant with dense foliage that’s deep green in color, and pass on plants with yellowing or dropped leaves. The colorful flowers, called bracts, should be firm with little or no pollen visible in the center.
Can you put poinsettias in a cellophane cone?
Some stores sell poinsettias in cellophane cones that will protect the plant from wind damage, but if it’s bitterly cold outside, the bracts and leaves could still suffer. Ask for a larger bag to put over the top of your plant to protect it on the trip to the car and into your home.
Can poinsettias cause diarrhea?
While scare stories link the plants to pet poisoning, the milky sap of the poinsettia actually contains low-toxicity chemicals that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and itchiness if a pet eats a large amount. Even though the risk is pretty low, don’t chance it. Keep your plant away from Fluffy or Fido.
Can you soak poinsettias before watering?
Sure, soaking your poinsettia’s soil is the best way to quench its thirst, but be sure to pull off the shiny foil wrapper that came tucked around the pot before you water it. Though pretty, this wrapping prevents the water from draining out, leaving the poinsettia’s soil saturated and roots soggy. Waterlogged roots stress the plant and can lead to leaf-dropping—or worse, a short life.
Can a poinsettia plant survive in the cold?
Any leaves that press against an icy window after you position the plant in your home will perish, and the chill could even affect the health of the poinsettia as a whole. Prevent an untimely demise by setting your poinsettia safely on a table in front of a window rather than on a windowsill.
What is the flower that is red?
Gardens and Landscaping / Flowers. Poinsettias are the popular flowers that we often see as part of interior decorations during the Christmas season. Those red blooms, however, are only the leaves and not the actual flower. Poinsettia flowers belong to the Euphorbia family and are related to the Euphorbia polychrome or the Cushion Spurge.
What color is a winter rose?
Winter Rose White. With a creamy-white color and bright-green leaves, this poinsettia is beautiful and can match any other plant you put next to it. Place it next to red or dark-pink poinsettias for an especially beautiful look, and the plant is guaranteed to make the area look cheery and happy.
What is the name of the flower that Poinsett discovered?
Poinsett discovered them during an envoy to Mexico around Christmastime and introduced the flowers to the U.S.A. Its scientific name Euphorbia pulcherrima is Latin for “the most beautiful Euphorbia.”. They’re also called as the “Painted Leaf” and the “Mexican Fire Plant.”.
What is the best poinsettia to take care of?
Euphorbia Rinehart Code. This is a vigorous, fancy grade of poinsettia, and it has strong, upright stems and bright-red, eye-catching petals. Like other types of Euphorbia Rinehart Code, this one thrives much better when you take good care of it and give it some attention while you have it.
How long does Euphorbia envy last?
It has a response time of more than 8 weeks, and it looks beautiful next to other types of Christmas plants.
What color are the petals of a poinsettia?
This plant has petals with a yellowish tone and dark-red flushes throughout each one. Like other poinsettias, this one has a center comprised of a group of small, yellow flowers, but it’s the unique color of the petals that has everyone noticing it and wishing to buy it.
How long does it take for a poinsettia to respond to a syringe?
This plant has warm colors of pink, peach, and yellow, and it has a response time of over 7 weeks. Also called Poinsettia Gold, it makes a stunning and unique Thanksgiving decoration.
Poinsettia Leaves Fall Off From Not Enough Water
The poinsettia is a native plant from a tropical climate in southern Mexico. This is a climate that includes higher levels of humidity along with higher-levels of moisture maintained in the native soils.
Poinsettia Leaves Fall Off From Too much water
Just because the Poinsettia comes from a tropical climate in southern Mexico, doesn’t mean it can swim in huge amounts of water. Like many plants, the roots of the Poinsettia need to absorb oxygen from the air in the soil.
Poinsettia Leaves Fall Off From Freezing Temperatures
Being from the tropical climate of southern Mexico, poinsettias do not take kindly to cold temperatures. They will behave much like other annual plants when exposed to the cold temperatures of the north: they wilt.
Poinsettia Leaves Fall Off From A Change in Light and Positions
One of the big draws of the Poinsettia is its vibrant red colors during the Christmas season. This is a result of what they are doing at the greenhouses with the Poinsettia before the season: giving it very little light. This means that the Poinsettia is very sensitive to light.
Poinsettia Leaves Fall Off When The Poinsettia Needs to Rest
The Grow Monster found an interesting article from the Texas Agricultural Extension Service by Sadie Hatfield that mentions poinsettias lose their leaves because they simply need to rest. It seems to make sense that our deciduous trees will lose leaves in the fall, so why not poinsettias?
How To Stop Poinsettia Leaves From Falling Off
Knowing the five reasons for why Poinsettia leaves fall off in the first place will help us prevent them from falling off sooner than expected in the future. We can address the under-watering / over-watering reasons for why leaves fall off simply by knowing how much water to give the poinsettia.
How To Keep Poinsettias Alive When the Leaves Fall Off
Leaves will fall off the Poinsettia for many reasons including too much water, too little water, freezing temperature exposure, too much movement / change in light source as well as their need to just plain rest. Just because the leaves fall off doesn’t mean the plant is necessarily dead.
Overview
Description
Euphorbia pulcherrima is a shrub or small tree, typically reaching a height of 0.6–4 metres (2–13 ft). The plant bears dark green dentate leaves that measure 7–16 centimetres (2.8–6.3 in) in length. The colored bracts—which are normally flaming red, with cultivars being orange, pale green, cream, pink, white, or marbled—are often mistaken for flower petals because of their groupings and c…
Taxonomy
The poinsettia was described as a new species in 1834 by German scientist Johann Friedrich Klotzsch. Klotzsch credited Carl Ludwig Willdenow with the species name "pulcherrima", and the authority is given as Willd. ex Klotzsch. The holotype had been collected in Mexico during an 1803–1804 expedition by Alexander von Humboldt and Aimé Bonpland.
It was known by the common name "poinsettia" as early as 1836, derived from Joel Roberts Poin…
Chemical composition
Pulcherrol and pulcherryl acetate are among the components of latex. Triterpenes are found in aerial part of this plant including latex and leaves. One of the triterpenoid skeleton is investigated as foundation to drugs for Alzheimer's disease.
Toxicity
Poinsettias are popularly, though incorrectly, said to be toxic to humans and other animals. This misconception was spread by a 1919 urban legend of a two-year-old child dying after consuming a poinsettia leaf. In 1944, the plant was included in H. R. Arnold's book Poisonous Plants of Hawaii on this premise. Though Arnold later admitted that the story was hearsay and that poinsettias …
Range and habitat
The poinsettia occurs in Central America, from Mexico to southern Guatemala. Its range is about 2,000 km (1,200 mi) long, encompassing mid-elevation tropical dry forests. Most wild populations are on Pacific-facing slopes in steep canyons. Populations were once found in rolling hill areas, though many have gone extinct. It has been hypothesized that the inaccessibility of the canyons may protect the wild populations from human disturbance. There is a somewhat anomalous pop…
Conservation
The tropical dry forests where wild poinsettias grow experience largely unregulated deforestation, resulting in habitat loss. Its natural habitat is thus highly fragmented, particularly near metropolitan areas such as Taxco. Population sizes are frequently very small, with as few as a dozen individuals. Populations can be up to several hundred individuals, but this is not typical. A conservation risk typical for species with wild and cultivated populations is the contamination o…
In culture
Aztec people use the plant to produce red dye and as an antipyretic medication. In Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs, the plant is called Cuetlaxochitl, meaning "flower that grows in residues or soil" Today it is known in Mexico and Guatemala as flor de Nochebuena or simply nochebuena, meaning 'Christmas Eve flower'. In Spain it is known as Flor de Pascua or Pascua, meaning Easter fl…