Poinsettia Fun Facts

Test Your Knowledge on Poinsettia Plant Fun Facts

Which of the statements below are true or false about poinsettia plants?
1. National Poinsettia Day is December 12th.
2. Florida has a native poinsettia plant, Euphorbia heterophylla.
3. The Poinsettia plant is poisonous if ingested.
4. The Aztecs used the poinsettia leaves to dye fabric and the sap for medicinal purposes.
5. California is the top producer of Poinsettia’s in the United States.
6. The poinsettia’s main attraction is its red flowers.
7. Poinsettia’s can grow to 12 feet high.

Fun Facts About Poinsettia Plants

The genus Euphorbia, to which the Poinsettia Plant belongs is related to 1600 other
species. The same genus contains Gopher Spurge (E. lathyris) which supposed to repel moles and other critters. Other relatives are Snow-on-the-mountain (E. marginata) and Crown of Thorns (E. milli). Poinsettia plants are the best selling flowering plant during the holiday season. With so many colors and hundreds of varieties, it is challenging to pick just one favorite.

Selecting and Caring for Your Poinsettia Plants

Fresh poinsettia plants have little or no yellow pollen showing on the flower clusters in the center of the bracts. Plants that have shed their pollen will soon drop their colorful bracts or leaves. Also, avoid purchasing plants that are wilted and have battered leaves.

To prolong the life of a poinsettia plant, avoid placing it in hot or cold drafts. They are highly sensitive to cold temperatures. Even a few minutes of exposure will cause the leaf and bract to discolor, wilt and drop.

Keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Drying out will cause premature leaf loss. Give them a bright location but no direct sunlight when they are in bloom. Ideal temperatures are 70-75 degrees F during the day and 60-65 degrees F during the night. To grow them beyond the holiday season fertilize them once a month. Want to learn more? Go to http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep349

Answers to the Poinsettia Plant Quiz

1. True – National Poinsettia Day, December 12th was designated by Act of Congress to honor Dr. Joel Poinsett. He was an amateur botanist and the first Ambassador to Mexico. He first introduced the plant into the US in 1828.

2. True – Florida’s native poinsettia is Euphorbia heterophylla. It has several common names. such as: wild poinsettia, painted poinsettia, Mexican fire-plant and fire-on-the-mountain. Some people see them wildflowers and ornamentals while other people call them weeds. It is a noxious pest for peanut growers in Georgia.

3. False – At one time, poinsettia plants were believed to be poisonous if ingested. However, after testing repeatedly, the beliefs were proven false by the National Poison Center in Atlanta, Georgia and by the American Medical Association. If ingested, this plant can cause stomach irritation and discomfort. Individuals who are sensitive to rubber plant latex should take care when handling this plant. Research found that 40% of those allergic to latex, were also allergic to the milky sap of the poinsettia plant.

Did You Know?

4. True – From the 14th to the 16th centuries, the Aztecs used the poinsettia leaves to dye fabric for clothing and the sap to help control fevers. They considered the red color a symbol of purity and so poinsettias were traditionally a part of their religious ceremonies.

5. True – Although every state in the United States grows poinsettias commercially, California is the top producer followed by Texas, North Carolina, Ohio and Michigan. The Paul Ecke Ranch in Encinitas, California was established in 1923 and continues today. Approximately 80% of all the flowering poinsettias in the USA and 50% of the poinsettias worldwide get their start at the Paul Ecke Ranch.

6. False – Lastly, Poinsettia’s modified leaves are the main attraction, not its flowers. Flowers of the plant are the yellow/green clustered buds in t he center. The colored leafy parts are bracts or modified leaves. Traditional red remains the most popular color which accounts for roughly three quarters of all sales nationwide. The next popular color is white followed by pink.

7. True – In the wild, poinsettia’s can reach heights of 12 feet tall. Leaves can be six to eight inches across. It is considered a small tropical tree. The Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) name means“very beautiful”, It is a native of southern Mexico. Because it blooms in December, poinsettias have been used to decorate churches for centuries.

0


Posted: December 12, 2017


Category: Horticulture
Tags: Fun Facts, Knowledge, Poinsettia Plants


Comments:

Courtney Darling

March 29, 2021

Thank you Toni For your comment!

Courtney Darling

March 29, 2021

Thank you Sherry for your comment!

Sherry Kunze
March 27, 2021

Great article, very well written. Love all the information, along with how to take care of the problem. A lot of people don’t understand the importance of removing those pesky little yellow dots, this article should open a lot of eyes as to why it is so important !! Thanks for the work you put into it, hope to see more on many different subjects

Donna Torrey
February 5, 2021

As a registered beekeeper in South Florida, I really appreciated this article. We all need to be aware of our wonderful native bees and not get all bees confused with honeybees. Thank you!

Toni
January 31, 2021

Very interesting. I like learning from these articles

Sylvia Willis

November 3, 2020

Thank you Rosanna for your comment. You are correct! Organocide Bee Safe 3-in-1 Garden Spray is an organic spray recommended by UF/IFAS to help control Spider Mites in field, greenhouse, and nursery strawberry production. Here is a link if interested in other organic spray options for spider mites: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in486.

Rosanna Lewis
November 3, 2020

Organocide Bee Safe 3-in-1 Garden Spray can control spider mites. It's a safe pesticide made of food grade oils that suffocate small soft bodied insects in all stages of their lives. Great alternative to harsh chemicals as it is OMRI listed and safe to pollinators.

Courtney Darling

August 10, 2020

Hello Tammy, This product has interior areas of the home on the label and is a general insecticide that controls many insects, including chicken mites, on contact. Here is the link to label: https://www.domyown.com/msds/PyGanic_Pro_Specimen_Label.pdf

Tammy Riebe
August 10, 2020

Hi Courtney this is Tammy I would like to know if you know any more about chicken mites what is a good thing to spray I’m side of our house? Thank you ,

Jane Cant

December 9, 2019

That is an excellent point. In that case, the plant will likely be dried and pressed as a sample in a botany collection and used for research, so it is likely that the entire plant will be needed.

Trudy Kenderdine
July 24, 2019

Like the thought of helping with plant ID, but would discourage from advising the plant be dug up to ID. Sometimes necessary I'm sure, but shouldn't be a standard, what if plant is rare or endangered?

Avatar photo
De Broughton

October 5, 2018

You're very welcome!

Kyle
October 5, 2018

Most motorists don't know how to deal with slow moving farm equipment on the road so thanks for sharing this info.

Avatar photo
De Broughton

October 5, 2018

You're welcome!

Avatar photo
De Broughton

October 5, 2018

Thank you for the feedback! You're very welcome!

Avatar photo
De Broughton

October 5, 2018

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Hopefully you're remarks here along with this blog will generate some awareness on road safety and all motorists.

Kyle
September 28, 2018

I lost a close friend of mine who was driving at night and hit a tractor that was parked half way in the middle of the road. I appreciate you sharing these safety tips.

https://www.unitedcabling.com
September 14, 2018

It is actually a great and helpful piece of info. I'm glad that you just shared this useful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

Avatar photo
De Broughton

September 9, 2018

Good point! Thanks for the note!

Avatar photo
De Broughton

September 9, 2018

Thank you. You're welcome!

Avatar photo
De Broughton

September 9, 2018

Thank you!

thesandersfirm.com
August 30, 2018

Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all folks you really recognize what you are speaking about! Bookmarked. Please also seek advice from my web site =). We could have a link trade contract between us

sharp garuda
August 30, 2018

Informative blog. Thanks for sharing.

Guy
August 1, 2018

Hi, Nice review. I think that an important aspect ofnprecision agriculture is being overlooked, and that is - decision support tools. I call it ‘the missing link’: https://cropaia.com/blog/precision-agriculture-missing-link/

Guy Sela
August 1, 2018

Hi, Nice review. I think that an important aspect ofnprecision agriculture is being overlooked, and that is - decision support tools. I call it ‘the missing link’: https://cropaia.com/blog/precision-agriculture-missing-link/

gorden anti noda
June 29, 2018

Heⅼlo friends, its fantastic paragraph гegarding teachingand еntirely defined, кeep it up all tһe time.

Avatar photo
De Broughton

May 29, 2018

Thanks for that note!

Avatar photo
De Broughton

May 29, 2018

Thank you!

Avatar photo
De Broughton

May 29, 2018

Wonderful!

Avatar photo
De Broughton

May 29, 2018

Thanks!

Avatar photo
De Broughton

May 29, 2018

Thank you!

Avatar photo
De Broughton

May 29, 2018

Thanks!

Avatar photo
De Broughton

May 29, 2018

Thank you!

Avatar photo
De Broughton

May 29, 2018

You're very welcome!

gorden kamar rumah sakit
May 28, 2018

It іs in reality a great and helpful piece оf info. I'm glad that yߋu simply shared tһіѕ helpful іnformation ѡith ᥙs. Pleaѕe stay us informed like this. Tһank you for sharing.

gorden rumah sakit solo
May 20, 2018

It's an amazing paragraph designed f᧐r all the online usеrs; they wіll get benefit from it I am ѕure.

Nano Ceramic Coating
May 17, 2018

You definitely know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people have to look at this and understand this side of your story.

Jane Griffin

May 16, 2018

Hi Sandy, and thank you for the excellent questions. Rhizoma peanut in a yard setting is managed differently than rhizome peanut in a pasture setting and available herbicides are based on the classification of the land. One of our state specialists recommended mowing at this point since the ornamental peanuts is no longer dormant to prevent shading, and I'm including an EDIS publication (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep135) with herbicide options. Please feel free to email me pictures at janeecant@ufl.edu or call 386-362-2771.

supplier gorden rumah sakit
May 15, 2018

Good info. Lucky me I came across youг website by chance (stumbleupon). I've bookmarked іt fⲟr later!

Sandy Troy
May 13, 2018

I started an ornamental peanut area in my 1 acre backyard (I did remove all weeds inn the area prior to planting peanut & applied mulch when first planted and I hand weeded). However, two years later, I have been unable to keep up with invading dogfennel weeds, Bermuda, Bahia grass and other weeds. What can I use on it to eliminate the Bermuda, Bahia and weeds? Thank you

gorden rumah sakit anti bakteri
May 4, 2018

I am trulү delighted to glance at thіs website posts whicһ consists ⲟf lots of helpful іnformation, tһanks for providing such informati᧐n.

daftar harga rel gorden rumah sakit
March 23, 2018

Excellent website. ᒪots of helpful info here. I am sеnding it to а feѡ friends ans аlso sharing іn delicious. Аnd naturally, tһanks to your sweat!

jual gorden rumah sakit
March 18, 2018

Pretty portion оf content. I simply stumbled սpon your website аnd in accession capital to say that I get in faϲt enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway Ι'll be subscribing ߋn your feeds аnd even Ӏ success yoս get entry tߋ persistently quiсkly.

gorden anti darah
March 12, 2018

I'm gone to convey my lіttle brother, tһɑt he sһould alѕo visit tһis blog оn regular basis tо obtain updated from latest reports.

gorden rumah sakit anti bakteri
March 11, 2018

І blog quіte often and I seriously appreciate your information. The article һas truly peaked my іnterest. I'm ɡoing to bookmark yoᥙr site аnd қeep checking for neԝ information about once ɑ wеek. I opted in for youг RSS feed t᧐o.

jenis kain gorden rumah sakit
March 11, 2018

Thank you, I've rеcently been searching fоr informɑtion appгoximately tһiѕ subject f᧐r a ⅼong tіmе and yоurs is the ցreatest I haѵe came upon so far. However, what cⲟncerning the bottom ⅼine? Are yօu cеrtain aboսt the supply?

kain gorden anti bakteri
March 10, 2018

Cսrrently it appears ⅼike Movable Type іѕ the preferred blogging platform availablе гight now. (from ԝhаt I've reаⅾ) Is that what you'ге using on yоur blog?

proxy servers
March 8, 2018

Wow, fantastic blog layout! How long have you ever been running a blog for? you made blogging look easy. The full glance of your web site is wonderful, let alone the content material!

buy proxies
March 8, 2018

I appreciate, cause I found just what I was looking for. You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye

where to buy proxies
March 7, 2018

This website is really a stroll-through for the entire data you wished about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse right here, and also you’ll definitely uncover it.

cheap proxy shop
March 7, 2018

Thanks a lot for sharing this with all people you really realize what you are talking about! Bookmarked. Please also discuss with my web site =). We could have a hyperlink alternate contract among us!

cheapest proxies
March 7, 2018

Thanks for sharing superb informations. Your site is so cool. I'm impressed by the details that you’ve on this web site. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched everywhere and simply could not come across. What an ideal web site.

buy best proxies
March 7, 2018

Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.

usa private proxy
March 7, 2018

Good info and right to the point. I am not sure if this is really the best place to ask but do you folks have any thoughts on where to hire some professional writers? Thx :)

the best proxy
March 7, 2018

Wonderful goods from you, man. I have consider your stuff prior to and you're simply too great. I actually like what you've obtained here, really like what you're stating and the way by which you assert it. You make it entertaining and you continue to take care of to keep it sensible. I cant wait to learn much more from you. That is actually a wonderful site.

harga gorden untuk rumah sakit
March 5, 2018

This piece ⲟf writing ѡill assist tһe internet useгѕ for setting up new website оr eᴠen a blog from start tߋ end.

kain gorden anti bakteri
March 3, 2018

Pretty nice post. І just stumbled upon your blog аnd wished to ѕay that I've really enjoyed browsing үour blog posts. Aftеr all I will be subscribing to yoᥙr feed and І hope yօu wrіte agаin veгy ѕoon!

model gorden untuk rumah sakit
March 2, 2018

There is certainly a ⅼot tօ learn abоut thіs issue. I really ⅼike aⅼl the ρoints you mɑde.

gorden rumah sakit anti bakteri
March 2, 2018

Heⅼlο! Quick question tһat's entіrely off topic. Ꭰo yⲟu know h᧐w to mаke your site mobile friendly? My blog looks weird when viewing fгom my iphone. I'm trying to find а theme ⲟr plugin that might be able to resolve tһis probⅼеm. If you havе any recommendations, ⲣlease share. Ⅿɑny thanks!

Avatar photo
De Broughton

March 2, 2018

Thank you for that feedback!

kain gorden rumah sakit
March 1, 2018

I wаѕ wondering if you ever cߋnsidered changing tһe structure of youг website? Іts very wеll wгitten; I love what youve ցot tߋ say. Bᥙt mayƄe yоu coulɗ a littⅼe moгe in the way оf content ѕo people could connect ᴡith it better. Youve ɡot аn awful lot օf text fⲟr only hɑving оne οr 2 pictures. Ⅿaybe y᧐u could space іt оut Ƅetter?

army games
February 19, 2018

Nice post. I was checking continuously this weblog and I am inspired! Extremely useful information particularly the last phase :) I deal with such information a lot. I was seeking this certain info for a very lengthy time. Thank you and good luck.

online alarm
February 19, 2018

A powerful share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing just a little evaluation on this. And he actually purchased me breakfast because I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the deal with! However yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I really feel strongly about it and love reading extra on this topic. If possible, as you develop into expertise, would you mind updating your weblog with more details? It is highly useful for me. Huge thumb up for this blog submit!

Avatar photo
De Broughton

February 12, 2018

I agree! Most do not realize that about Florida. Our state is very diverse, agriculturally speaking. Thanks for your comment!

Gozde
February 4, 2018

Fortunately, Poinsett continued to study and breed this plant in his greenhouse, sharing plants with his horticulturist friends.

Ika
January 31, 2018

A dead tree can stand for decades, providing critical shelter and food to myriad species. If a dead or dying tree isn t threatening your residence, picnic pavilion or roadway, the Game Commission recommends leaving it to nature and the benefit of wildlife. It won t be long before you ll see its worthiness to wildlife and begin to appreciate the additional character it affords your backyard or woodlot. If you appreciate wildlife, you should appreciate dead trees.

Claribel
January 31, 2018

Feline trichomoniasis is an intestinal disease that results in chronic diarrhea, flatulence and fecal incontinence. Bovine trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease of cattle that infects the reproductive tract of cows, causing uterine infections and possible mid- to late-term abortions.

Angeline
January 31, 2018

Most people are surprised to learn that Florida has a carrot industry. While carrots have been historically produced throughout the state, the amount of land dedicated to carrot production in Florida has been limited relative to other crops like citrus or tomatoes. California has led the nation in carrot production for decades, and that will likely continue. Recently, however, vegetable producers, processors and distributors have collaborated in forming an emerging carrot industry in northeast Florida.

Latricia
January 30, 2018

These estimates should serve as a guide to the relative average values of different land uses within and between areas in Florida.

Cheryl
January 30, 2018

The red Poinsettia still dominates over other color options. 'Prestige Red'--one of many poinsettias patented by Ecke--ranks among the best-selling hybrids.

jual baju renang muslim
December 11, 2017

Can I just say what a relief to uncover a person that genuinely knows what they're discussing over the internet. You definitely know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people have to look at this and understand this side of your story. I was surprised that you're not more popular since you definitely have the gift.

celana sirwal
November 28, 2017

Keep on writing, great job!

panele szklane łodź mokotow
November 14, 2017

Wow thɑt was strange. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I cⅼicked submit my comment didn't appear. Grrrr... welⅼ I'm not writing alⅼ that over again. Anyways, jᥙst wanted to say fantastiϲ blog!

miss
November 13, 2017

I fеel that iѕ ɑmong the such a lⲟt vital information for me. And i'm glɑd reading ʏour ɑrticle. Howеver wannа commеntaгу on some normal issueѕ, The web site style is ideal, the articles is reallу nice : D. GooԀ prоcess, cheers

Kathleen Martin
November 8, 2017

May I simply say what a relief to discover a person that genuinely knows what they are discussing on the web. You actually understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people really need to check this out and understand this side of your story. I was surprised you are not more popular given that you surely have the gift.

understand
November 6, 2017

I've been surfing online mߋre than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article likе youгѕ. It is pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if alⅼ website owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be a lot more ᥙseful than ever before.

Edward gonczarow
October 10, 2017

Looking for pasture land to lease for cattle in alachua,levy,gilchrist or Dixie county 10 to 60 acres.

Jane Griffin

September 18, 2017

Thank you for your input, I greatly appreciate it!

Sydney Hackle
September 8, 2017

I dugg some of you post as I thought they were very beneficial extremely helpful

Comments are closed.

Subscribe For More Great Content

IFAS Blogs Categories