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:''"Christmas Star" redirects here. For the Christian tradition, see [[Star of Bethlehem]].
{{Taxobox
| image = Weihnachtsstern - groß.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Malpighiales]]
| familia = [[Euphorbiaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Euphorbia]]''
| species = '''''E. pulcherrima'''''
| binomial = ''Euphorbia pulcherrima''
| binomial_authority = Willd. ex Klotzsch
}}
'''''Euphorbia pulcherrima''''', commonly named '''poinsettia''', is a species of flowering plant indigenous to [[Mexico]], and native to the Pacific coast of the United States. The shrub occurs in some parts of central and southern Mexico, and a few localities in Guatemala.<ref>[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ho/po/com/10948.htm Mexico<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
The name "poinsettia" is after [[Joel Roberts Poinsett]], the first [[United States Ambassador to Mexico]], who introduced the plant into the US in 1825.
The alternative names for the poinsettia are: '''Cuetlaxochitl''' (in [[Nahuatl]] mexican language), '''Mexican flame leaf''', '''Christmas star''', '''Winter rose''', '''Noche Buena''', '''Lalupatae''', '''Atatürk çiçeği''' ("Flower of [[Atatürk]]", in [[Turkey]]), '''Αλεξανδρινό''' (Alexandrian, in [[Greece]]), '''Pascua''' and '''Stella di Natale''' (in [[Italy]]).
==Description==
[[Image:Poinsettia, Christmas flower (Euphorbia pulcherrima) at Jayanti, Duars, West Bengal W Picture 443.jpg|thumb|left|Leaves, bracts & flowers at [[Jayanti]] in [[Buxa Tiger Reserve]] in [[Jalpaiguri]] district of [[West Bengal]], [[India]]. ]]
''Euphorbia pulcherrima'' is a shrub or small tree, typically reaching a height of 0.6 to 4 m (2 to 16 ft). The plant bears dark green [[dentate]] leaves that measure 7 to 16 cm (3 to 6 inches) in length. The top leaves, known as [[bracts]], are flaming red, pink, or white and are often mistaken as flowers. The actual flowers are grouped within the small yellow structures found in the center of each leaf bunch, which are called [[cyathium|cyathia]].
The species is found in the wild in deciduous tropical forest at moderate elevations from southern [[Sinaloa]] down the entire Pacific coast of Mexico to [[Chiapas]] and into [[Guatemala]]. It is also found in the interior in the hot, seasonally dry forests of [[Guerrero]], [[Oaxaca]], and Chiapas.
[[Cultivar]]s have been produced with orange, pale green, cream and marbled leaves.
There are 109 varieties of poinsettia available.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} 74% of Americans prefer red poinsettias, 8% prefer white, and 6% prefer pink.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/poinsettia/facts.html|title=The Poinsettia Pages|accessdate=2007-12-21|format=html}}</ref>.
== History of the poinsettia and the Christmas tradition==
In [[Nahuatl]], the language of the [[Aztecs]], the plant is called Cuitlaxochitl meaning "star flower." The [[Aztecs]] used the plant to produce red dye and as an [[antipyretic]] medication.<ref>[http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/poinsettia/facts.html Poinsettia Facts<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In both Chile and Peru, the plant became known as "Crown of the Andes".
The plants' association with Christmas originated in 16th century Mexico, where legend tells of a young girl who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus' birthday. The tale goes that the child was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from the roadside and place them in front of the church altar. Crimson "blossoms" sprouted from the weeds and became beautiful poinsettias.<ref>[http://www.flowers.ie/monthly-page.html Flowers Ireland<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> From the 17th century, Franciscan monks in Mexico included the plants in their Christmas celebrations.<ref>[http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/1995/12-8-1995/trad.html The Legends and Traditions of Holiday Plants | Horticulture and Home Pest News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
In the United States, December 12th is National Poinsettia Day.
==American poinsettia monopoly==
Until 19 years ago, the Paul Ecke Family of [[Encinitas, California]], had a virtual monopoly on poinsettias owing to a technological secret that made it difficult for others to compete. The key to producing more desirable poinsettias is to create a fuller, more compact plant. A poinsettia left to grow on its own will naturally take an open, somewhat weedy look. The Eckes' technique, which involved grafting two varieties of poinsettia together, made it possible to get every seedling to branch, resulting in a bushier plant. However, in the 1990s, a university researcher discovered the method and published it; now the technique is widespread.<ref>Cynthia Crossen, "Holiday's Ubiquitous Houseplant," ''Wall Street Journal'', December 19, 2000.</ref>
==Cultivation==
In areas outside its natural environment it is commonly grown as an indoor plant where it prefers good morning sun then shade in the hotter part of the day. However it is widely grown and very popular in subtropical climates such as [[Sydney, Australia]].
As this is a subtropical plant, it will likely perish if the night-time temperature falls below 10° C (50° F) so is not suitable for planting in the ground in cooler climates. Likewise daytime temperatures in excess of 21° C (70° F) tend to shorten the lifespan of the plant.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
The poinsettia is also cultivated in [[Egypt]] since 1860s, it was brought from [[Mexico]] during Egyptian campaign around 1860s. It is called "Bent El Consul", "the consul's daughter", referring to U.S. ambassador Mr. Poinsett.{{fact|date=April 2008}}
The poinsettia can be difficult to induce to reflower after the initial display when purchased. The plant requires a period of uninterrupted long, dark nights for around two months in autumn in order to develop flowers. Incidental light at night during this time will hamper flower production. When watering it is important to allow the plant to drain out any excess water. Having a poinsettia sit in water can do harm to the plant as it prefers moist soil to direct water.
In order 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.<ref>Lee ''et al.'' (1997) Phytoplasma induced free branching in commercial poinsettia cultivars. Nature Biotechnology '''15''' 178-182</ref>
===Diseases===
{{Main|List of poinsettia diseases}}
==Rumoured toxicity==
In the United States and perhaps elsewhere, there is a common misconception that poinsettias are [[toxic]]. The origin of this could be found in the fact that most plants of the [[spurge]] genus are indeed toxic and also because the name of the plant seems to refer to the word [[poison]]. This misconception was spread by a 1919 [[urban legend]]<ref>Poinsettia plants are poisonous to humans. (snopes.com) [http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/poinsettia.asp July 30, 2007]</ref> of a two-year-old child dying after consuming a poinsettia leaf. While it is true that the plant is not very toxic, those sensitive to latex may suffer an allergic reaction and it is therefore not advisable to bring the plants into the home of sensitive individuals.
In a study in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine 22,793 cases of poinsettia exposures were electronically analyzed. 98.9% of the exposures were accidental with 93.9% involving children. 96.1% of the exposed patients were not treated in a health care facility and 92.4% did not require any type of therapy.<ref>[http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/poinsettia/facts.html Poinsettia Facts<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> If eaten, poinsettias may sometimes cause [[diarrhea]] and [[vomiting]] in animals and humans.<ref>{{citeweb| url=http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=55606| title= Are Poinsettia Plants Poisonous? Fact or Fiction?|accessdate=2007-12-21 |format= html}}</ref>
== Cocktail ==
* A poinsettia [[cocktail]] is a mixture of [[sparkling wine|dry sparkling white wine]], [[vodka]], and [[cranberry]] juice.
==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Poinsettia, Christmas flower (Euphorbia pulcherrima) at Jayanti, Duars, West Bengal W Picture 444.jpg|trunk at [[Jayanti]] in [[Buxa Tiger Reserve]] in [[Jalpaiguri]] district of [[West Bengal]], [[India]].
Image:Poinsettia_2.jpg|The bright red leaves resemble petals, dwarfing the clusters of tiny flowers in the center.
Image:Poinsettia bush belize.jpg|Poinsettia bush
Image:Poinsettia_tree.jpg|A [[christmas tree]] of poinsettias in [[San Diego]]
Image:Poinsettia_pant_784.jpg|A pink poinsettia
Image:Mexican_poinsettia.jpg|Poinsettia with multiple [[bracts]]
Image:Poinsettia_001.jpg|Poinsettia
Image:5-Year-Old_Rescue_Poinsettia.JPG|Poinsettia's live long after Christmas, even indoors.
</gallery>
==References==<!-- Revista Brasileira de Zoologia 22 (1): 51–59, março 2005 -->
<references />
== External links ==
{{Wikibooks|A Wikimanual of Gardening/flowers|Poinsettia}}
{{Commons|Euphorbia pulcherrima}}
* [http://www.explorelifeonearth.org/poinsettia.html The Wild Poinsettia Page: Images of Euphorbia pulcherrima in the wild in Mexico]
* [http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/poinsettia.asp Snopes on toxicity]
* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=EUPU9 USDA PLANTS Database, Symbol EUPU9, E. pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch]
* [http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/poinsettia/ Poinsettia pages at the University of Illinois, UIUC]
* [http://hortchat.com/info/poinsettia-care Poinsettia Q&A from Master Gardener Kris]
* [http://www.museums.org.za/bio/plants/euphorbiaceae/index.htm Poinsettias in Africa]
* [http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1248.html Ohio State University Fact Sheet].
* [http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/flowers/poinsettia.html Poinsettia FAQ].
* [http://www.ecke.com/html/h_corp/corp_pntcare.html Poinsettia at home].
* [http://www.hardingnursery.com/poinsettiacare.htm Hardingnursery]
* [http://www.netglimse.com/holidays/poinsettia_day/history_of_poinsettia_day.shtml/ History of Poinsettia Day]
{{Link FA|pt}}
[[Category:Euphorbia]]
[[Category:Flowers]]
[[Category:Flora of Mexico]]
[[Category:Christmas plants]]
[[ar:بنت القنصل]]
[[cs:Pryšec nádherný]]
[[da:Julestjerne]]
[[de:Weihnachtsstern (Pflanze)]]
[[el:Αλεξανδρινό]]
[[es:Euphorbia pulcherrima]]
[[fr:Poinsettia]]
[[hr:Božićna zvijezda]]
[[id:Kastuba]]
[[it:Euphorbia pulcherrima]]
[[kn:ಪೊಯನ್ ಸೆಟಿಯಾ]]
[[nah:Cuetlaxōchitl]]
[[nl:Kerstster (plant)]]
[[ja:ポインセチア]]
[[no:Julestjerne]]
[[pl:Wilczomlecz nadobny]]
[[pt:Poinsétia]]
[[sq:Euphorbia pulcherrima]]
[[fi:Joulutähti]]
[[sv:Julstjärna (krukväxt)]]
[[tl:Paskwa (bulaklak)]]
[[vi:Trạng nguyên (cây)]]
[[to:Laveʻimoa]]
[[tr:Atatürk çiçeği]]
[[zh:一品紅]]
{{Taxobox
| image = Weihnachtsstern - groß.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Malpighiales]]
| familia = [[Euphorbiaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Euphorbia]]''
| species = '''''E. pulcherrima'''''
| binomial = ''Euphorbia pulcherrima''
| binomial_authority = Willd. ex Klotzsch
}}
'''''Euphorbia pulcherrima''''', commonly named '''poinsettia''', is a species of flowering plant indigenous to [[Mexico]], and native to the Pacific coast of the United States. The shrub occurs in some parts of central and southern Mexico, and a few localities in Guatemala.<ref>[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ho/po/com/10948.htm Mexico<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
The name "poinsettia" is after [[Joel Roberts Poinsett]], the first [[United States Ambassador to Mexico]], who introduced the plant into the US in 1825.
The alternative names for the poinsettia are: '''Cuetlaxochitl''' (in [[Nahuatl]] mexican language), '''Mexican flame leaf''', '''Christmas star''', '''Winter rose''', '''Noche Buena''', '''Lalupatae''', '''Atatürk çiçeği''' ("Flower of [[Atatürk]]", in [[Turkey]]), '''Αλεξανδρινό''' (Alexandrian, in [[Greece]]), '''Pascua''' and '''Stella di Natale''' (in [[Italy]]).
==Description==
[[Image:Poinsettia, Christmas flower (Euphorbia pulcherrima) at Jayanti, Duars, West Bengal W Picture 443.jpg|thumb|left|Leaves, bracts & flowers at [[Jayanti]] in [[Buxa Tiger Reserve]] in [[Jalpaiguri]] district of [[West Bengal]], [[India]]. ]]
''Euphorbia pulcherrima'' is a shrub or small tree, typically reaching a height of 0.6 to 4 m (2 to 16 ft). The plant bears dark green [[dentate]] leaves that measure 7 to 16 cm (3 to 6 inches) in length. The top leaves, known as [[bracts]], are flaming red, pink, or white and are often mistaken as flowers. The actual flowers are grouped within the small yellow structures found in the center of each leaf bunch, which are called [[cyathium|cyathia]].
The species is found in the wild in deciduous tropical forest at moderate elevations from southern [[Sinaloa]] down the entire Pacific coast of Mexico to [[Chiapas]] and into [[Guatemala]]. It is also found in the interior in the hot, seasonally dry forests of [[Guerrero]], [[Oaxaca]], and Chiapas.
[[Cultivar]]s have been produced with orange, pale green, cream and marbled leaves.
There are 109 varieties of poinsettia available.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} 74% of Americans prefer red poinsettias, 8% prefer white, and 6% prefer pink.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/poinsettia/facts.html|title=The Poinsettia Pages|accessdate=2007-12-21|format=html}}</ref>.
== History of the poinsettia and the Christmas tradition==
In [[Nahuatl]], the language of the [[Aztecs]], the plant is called Cuitlaxochitl meaning "star flower." The [[Aztecs]] used the plant to produce red dye and as an [[antipyretic]] medication.<ref>[http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/poinsettia/facts.html Poinsettia Facts<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In both Chile and Peru, the plant became known as "Crown of the Andes".
The plants' association with Christmas originated in 16th century Mexico, where legend tells of a young girl who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus' birthday. The tale goes that the child was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from the roadside and place them in front of the church altar. Crimson "blossoms" sprouted from the weeds and became beautiful poinsettias.<ref>[http://www.flowers.ie/monthly-page.html Flowers Ireland<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> From the 17th century, Franciscan monks in Mexico included the plants in their Christmas celebrations.<ref>[http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/1995/12-8-1995/trad.html The Legends and Traditions of Holiday Plants | Horticulture and Home Pest News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
In the United States, December 12th is National Poinsettia Day.
==American poinsettia monopoly==
Until 19 years ago, the Paul Ecke Family of [[Encinitas, California]], had a virtual monopoly on poinsettias owing to a technological secret that made it difficult for others to compete. The key to producing more desirable poinsettias is to create a fuller, more compact plant. A poinsettia left to grow on its own will naturally take an open, somewhat weedy look. The Eckes' technique, which involved grafting two varieties of poinsettia together, made it possible to get every seedling to branch, resulting in a bushier plant. However, in the 1990s, a university researcher discovered the method and published it; now the technique is widespread.<ref>Cynthia Crossen, "Holiday's Ubiquitous Houseplant," ''Wall Street Journal'', December 19, 2000.</ref>
==Cultivation==
In areas outside its natural environment it is commonly grown as an indoor plant where it prefers good morning sun then shade in the hotter part of the day. However it is widely grown and very popular in subtropical climates such as [[Sydney, Australia]].
As this is a subtropical plant, it will likely perish if the night-time temperature falls below 10° C (50° F) so is not suitable for planting in the ground in cooler climates. Likewise daytime temperatures in excess of 21° C (70° F) tend to shorten the lifespan of the plant.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
The poinsettia is also cultivated in [[Egypt]] since 1860s, it was brought from [[Mexico]] during Egyptian campaign around 1860s. It is called "Bent El Consul", "the consul's daughter", referring to U.S. ambassador Mr. Poinsett.{{fact|date=April 2008}}
The poinsettia can be difficult to induce to reflower after the initial display when purchased. The plant requires a period of uninterrupted long, dark nights for around two months in autumn in order to develop flowers. Incidental light at night during this time will hamper flower production. When watering it is important to allow the plant to drain out any excess water. Having a poinsettia sit in water can do harm to the plant as it prefers moist soil to direct water.
In order 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.<ref>Lee ''et al.'' (1997) Phytoplasma induced free branching in commercial poinsettia cultivars. Nature Biotechnology '''15''' 178-182</ref>
===Diseases===
{{Main|List of poinsettia diseases}}
==Rumoured toxicity==
In the United States and perhaps elsewhere, there is a common misconception that poinsettias are [[toxic]]. The origin of this could be found in the fact that most plants of the [[spurge]] genus are indeed toxic and also because the name of the plant seems to refer to the word [[poison]]. This misconception was spread by a 1919 [[urban legend]]<ref>Poinsettia plants are poisonous to humans. (snopes.com) [http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/poinsettia.asp July 30, 2007]</ref> of a two-year-old child dying after consuming a poinsettia leaf. While it is true that the plant is not very toxic, those sensitive to latex may suffer an allergic reaction and it is therefore not advisable to bring the plants into the home of sensitive individuals.
In a study in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine 22,793 cases of poinsettia exposures were electronically analyzed. 98.9% of the exposures were accidental with 93.9% involving children. 96.1% of the exposed patients were not treated in a health care facility and 92.4% did not require any type of therapy.<ref>[http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/poinsettia/facts.html Poinsettia Facts<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> If eaten, poinsettias may sometimes cause [[diarrhea]] and [[vomiting]] in animals and humans.<ref>{{citeweb| url=http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=55606| title= Are Poinsettia Plants Poisonous? Fact or Fiction?|accessdate=2007-12-21 |format= html}}</ref>
== Cocktail ==
* A poinsettia [[cocktail]] is a mixture of [[sparkling wine|dry sparkling white wine]], [[vodka]], and [[cranberry]] juice.
==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Poinsettia, Christmas flower (Euphorbia pulcherrima) at Jayanti, Duars, West Bengal W Picture 444.jpg|trunk at [[Jayanti]] in [[Buxa Tiger Reserve]] in [[Jalpaiguri]] district of [[West Bengal]], [[India]].
Image:Poinsettia_2.jpg|The bright red leaves resemble petals, dwarfing the clusters of tiny flowers in the center.
Image:Poinsettia bush belize.jpg|Poinsettia bush
Image:Poinsettia_tree.jpg|A [[christmas tree]] of poinsettias in [[San Diego]]
Image:Poinsettia_pant_784.jpg|A pink poinsettia
Image:Mexican_poinsettia.jpg|Poinsettia with multiple [[bracts]]
Image:Poinsettia_001.jpg|Poinsettia
Image:5-Year-Old_Rescue_Poinsettia.JPG|Poinsettia's live long after Christmas, even indoors.
</gallery>
==References==<!-- Revista Brasileira de Zoologia 22 (1): 51–59, março 2005 -->
<references />
== External links ==
{{Wikibooks|A Wikimanual of Gardening/flowers|Poinsettia}}
{{Commons|Euphorbia pulcherrima}}
* [http://www.explorelifeonearth.org/poinsettia.html The Wild Poinsettia Page: Images of Euphorbia pulcherrima in the wild in Mexico]
* [http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/poinsettia.asp Snopes on toxicity]
* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=EUPU9 USDA PLANTS Database, Symbol EUPU9, E. pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch]
* [http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/poinsettia/ Poinsettia pages at the University of Illinois, UIUC]
* [http://hortchat.com/info/poinsettia-care Poinsettia Q&A from Master Gardener Kris]
* [http://www.museums.org.za/bio/plants/euphorbiaceae/index.htm Poinsettias in Africa]
* [http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1248.html Ohio State University Fact Sheet].
* [http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/flowers/poinsettia.html Poinsettia FAQ].
* [http://www.ecke.com/html/h_corp/corp_pntcare.html Poinsettia at home].
* [http://www.hardingnursery.com/poinsettiacare.htm Hardingnursery]
* [http://www.netglimse.com/holidays/poinsettia_day/history_of_poinsettia_day.shtml/ History of Poinsettia Day]
{{Link FA|pt}}
[[Category:Euphorbia]]
[[Category:Flowers]]
[[Category:Flora of Mexico]]
[[Category:Christmas plants]]
[[ar:بنت القنصل]]
[[cs:Pryšec nádherný]]
[[da:Julestjerne]]
[[de:Weihnachtsstern (Pflanze)]]
[[el:Αλεξανδρινό]]
[[es:Euphorbia pulcherrima]]
[[fr:Poinsettia]]
[[hr:Božićna zvijezda]]
[[id:Kastuba]]
[[it:Euphorbia pulcherrima]]
[[kn:ಪೊಯನ್ ಸೆಟಿಯಾ]]
[[nah:Cuetlaxōchitl]]
[[nl:Kerstster (plant)]]
[[ja:ポインセチア]]
[[no:Julestjerne]]
[[pl:Wilczomlecz nadobny]]
[[pt:Poinsétia]]
[[sq:Euphorbia pulcherrima]]
[[fi:Joulutähti]]
[[sv:Julstjärna (krukväxt)]]
[[tl:Paskwa (bulaklak)]]
[[vi:Trạng nguyên (cây)]]
[[to:Laveʻimoa]]
[[tr:Atatürk çiçeği]]
[[zh:一品紅]]
