Poinsettia

Mexico · plants · Christmas

Native to Mexico. Poinsettias come from Mexico and Central America, where they grow as shrubs or small trees that can be anywhere from 2 feet to over 13 feet tall.

Christmas superstar. These plants are famous for their stunning red and green leaves and have become one of the most popular decorations for Christmas around the world.

Named after a person. The plant got its English name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, an American diplomat who introduced it to the United States from Mexico in the 1820s.

Not actually toxic. Many people think poinsettias are poisonous to pets and kids, but they're actually quite safe, though eating them might cause an upset stomach in some cases.

Part of spurge family. Poinsettias belong to a large plant family called Euphorbiaceae, which includes many different flowering plants found across the world.