Christmas is always such a colorful time. It seems like every store has been selling poinsettia plants. Many of us buy poinsettias to place around the house, inside and out, so I thought it might be interesting to share some info about this popular "flower" that is actually a small tropical tree.
Did you know?
* Poinsettias are the best-selling potted plant in the United States and Canada.
* Today the plant is known in Mexico and Guatemala as "La Flor de la Nochebuena" (Flower of the Holy Night, or Christmas Eve).* The “flowers” are actually large bunches of colored leaves. In order to insure its festive coloring, it is essential that the plant received no light at night between October and Christmas.
* Poinsettias are native to southern Mexico and Central America, where they may reach heights of 16 feet with leaves measuring up to eight inches across!
* The Aztecs used the poinsettia leaves to dye fabric for clothing and the sap for medicinal purposes.
* The poinsettia is NOT toxic to humans or animals.
Yup, we have one of these in our backyard in Orange County. Every Nov and Dec the leaves turn red.
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