The poinsettia, also known as
the Mexican flame leaf or Christmas star (Euphorbia
pulcherrima), is a plant known for its striking red
displays at Christmas time. It is often used as a floral
Christmas decoration because of its festive colours.
The "flowers" are actually large bunches
of coloured leaves (modified bracts); the flowers themselves
are in the center of each leaf bunch, but rather small
and inconspicuous. Cultivars have been produced with
orange, pale green, cream and marbled leaves. It is
essential that the plant receives no light at night
between approximately October and Christmas. The slightest
exposure to light during this critical period will
often prevent "flowering".
Poinsettias are native to southern Mexico and Central
America, where they may reach heights of sixteen feet.
They are named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first
United States ambassador to Mexico, who introduced
the plant in the U.S. in 1825.
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