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Poinsettia – (Euphorbia
pulcherrima)
Name - Named after Colonel Joel Roberts Poinsett of the US army. Pronounced
POYNE-sett-ya. "Pulcherrima" means "most beautiful".Origin
- Mexico and Central America. In the wild these plants are bare-branched small
trees. Colours - Most people know traditional red poinsettias
at Christmas, but these plants also come in peach, pink, lemon, cream, and with
white- and gold-splashed leaves. Care Tips - Protect poinsettias
from cold and draughts at all times - wrap them up carefully to carry them home
and unwrap as soon as you arrive. They need a light position and a temperature
of 55-60°F (16-18°C) but not above a radiator. Water when the compost
is moderately dry; don't over or under-water as this results in leaf drop. Water
by standing in water for 20 minutes (not more than 30) and then remove to allow
to drain. The milky white sap of this plant can irritate skin, so wash your hands
after handling it, and keep plants away from young children.
Trivia
- Colonel Poinsett was the first US Ambassador to Mexico (1825-9). He grew them
himself and sent some back to botanical gardens in the USA.Around ten
acres of poinsettias are grown in the UK every year
See poinsettias on The One Show, BBC 1, 16 December, 7pm.
Find your perfect match this winter and take our Poinsettia Quiz!
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