Deck the halls with poinsettias

The poinsettia is the iconic plant that heralds in the Christmas season. Local garden centers and grocery stores are chock-full of these plants in many different sizes and colors every December. Festive and fascinating, poinsettias deck the halls without a lot of fuss — and they make the perfect gift. Poinsettias are native to Mexico, where they grow wild and can reach heights of 10 to 15 feet. The ancient Aztecs purportedly used the poinsettia to dye their clothes and treat fevers. Mexican folklore tells the story of a poor village girl named Pepita. One Christmas, Pepita felt heartbroken because she had no means to purchase a gift for Baby Jesus for the Christmas Eve service at her church. In a sincere gesture to honor the Christ child, she gathered a bouquet of roadside weeds. Her cousin Pedro told her that even the simplest gift, given in love, would be acceptable in Christ's eyes. When Pepita laid the bouquet at the feet of Baby Jesus in her church's Nativity, the flowers burst into color. The weeds, of course, turned out to be the beautiful poinsettia. Joel Roberts Poinsett, a botanist and physician, introduced the plant to the United States in 1828. A true renaissance man, Poinsett was the United States' first ambassador to Mexico, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and a co-founder of the organization that would later become the Smithsonian Institution. Dec. 12 is observed as Poinsettia Day, marking the death of Mr. Poinsett in 1851. The poinsettia, a member of Euphorbiaceae or Spurge family, oozes a milky sap. If you have a latex allergy, you may have a skin reaction if you touch the leaves. But contrary to popular belief, the poinsettia is not poisonous. The Ohio State University conducted a study that revealed a 50-pound child would have to eat more than 500 poinsettia leaves to have a harmful impact. And since poinsettia leaves taste terrible, you probably don't need to worry! You might want to keep your dogs and cats away from your poinsettia, however. The milky sap may also irritate your pet's skin, and eating the leaves can make your pet vomit or have diarrhea — not what you want to be dealing with during the holidays! Another interesting fact about the poinsettia: What look like the "flowers" on the plant are actually leaves. The colorful parts of the poinsettia are colored bracts, or modified leaves. The true flowers are tiny and located inside the colored bracts. With more than 100 poinsettia varieties out there, you are sure to find a plant you love. You could choose a solid-colored poinsettia (red, white and pink are popular); marbled poinsettia (two-toned bracts); jingle poinsettia (bracts that are a solid color with flecks of a lighter color); or a rose poinsettia (curled bracts that resemble a rose). Even if you do not have a green thumb, poinsettias are not too difficult to keep alive, at least through the holiday season. First, when selecting a poinsettia, look for a plant with healthy green leaves that are not curling, browning or falling off. In the center of the colorful bracts, you will notice the real flowers, although they are very small. Look for ones that do not have any yellow pollen showing yet, because they will last longer. Finally, take a good look at the plant from all sides to make sure it is bushy and full. Because the poinsettia is a tropical plant, it does not like to be exposed to cold air even for a few minutes. Make sure you cover your poinsettia before you depart the store, and do not ever leave your poinsettia in the car while you run other errands. If exposed to cold air, the poinsettia will start dropping leaves. At home, place the poinsettia in a spot where it will receive bright, indirect light. Do not place the poinsettia near a cold, drafty window or next to a heating vent. Check the soil daily and water when it is dry. Place a saucer under the plant to catch water run-off. You may have to punch drainage holes in the foil wrapper. Discard the excess water in the saucer. With proper care, a poinsettia can bring weeks of cheer to your home for the holidays. The Hancock County Master Gardener Volunteers wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Pressel is a freelance writer and an Ohio State University Extension Hancock County Master Gardener Volunteer. Find the Master Gardeners on Facebook at "Hancock County Master Gardener Volunteers."