Poinsettias are shrubs to small trees, typically reaching a height of 0.6 to 4 m

(2 to 16 ft).

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 cyathia

Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are flowers native to the Pacific coast of Mexico, some parts of central southern Mexico, and a few localities in Guatemala.

Alternative names for the poinsettia are Mexican flame leaf, Christmas star, Winter rose, Noche Buena, Lalupatae, Atatürk çiçeği ("Atatürk's Flower", in Turkey), Αλεξανδριανό (Alexandrian, in Greece), and Pascua.

Poinsettia Christmas tree in San Diego, California

http://www.ecke.com/html/h_corp/corp_legend.html

The Legend of the Poinsettia

                                                    

A charming story is told of Pepita, a poor Mexican girl who had no gift to present the Christ Child at Christmas Eve Services. As Pepita walked slowly to the chapel with her cousin Pedro, her heart was filled with sadness rather than joy. "I am sure, Pepita, that even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes," said Pedro consolingly.Not knowing what else to do, Pepita knelt by the roadside and gathered a handful of common weeds, fashioning them into a small bouquet. Looking at the scraggly bunch of weeds, she felt more saddened and embarrassed than ever by the humbleness of her offering. She fought back a tear as she entered the small village chapel.As she approached the alter, she remembered Pedro's kind words: "Even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes." She felt her spirit lift as she knelt to lay the bouquet at the foot of the nativity scene.Suddenly, the bouquet of weeds burst into blooms of brilliant red, and all who saw them were certain that they had witnessed a Christmas miracle right before their eyes.From that day on, the bright red flowers were known as the Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night, for they bloomed each year during the Christmas season.Today, the common name for this plant is the poinsettia!

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Poinsettias are not poisonous.

A study at Ohio State University showed that a 50 pound child who ate 500 bracts

might have a slight tummy ache.

This powerpoint can be used with “The Legend of the Poinsettia”, by Tomie dePaola. I have a pattern for making a simple, yet beautiful, single poinsettia that the students can make and take home.

Here is a review of this book.“What a great book for children to read. This book teaches that no matter what gift you give someone, whatever you do, it doesn't have to be the best, the most expensive {ect. ect.} it just has to come from the heart. That's a lesson that kid's these days should learn, as well as some adults. So read this book to your children today, I'm sure you'll love it..”