A Clean Bill of Health for the Poinsettia Plant
Subject:
New York State Flower Industries , Inc
Abstract:
Since 1919. stories unsubstantiated by medical and scientific fact have circulated about the poinsettia at Christ mas time, when the plant is at the peak of its popularity. According to one tale, the two-year-old child of an Army officer stationed in Hawaii died from eating a poinsettia leaf (bract). This unfortunate, unfounded story helped scare people into thinking that the poinsettia is poisonous. It has led to the belief that parts oi the plant, if ingested by humans or pets, could be lethal. Poinsettia Exonerated To scientifically resolve the charges against the poinsettia, and to alleviate public fear concerning its alleged toxicity, the floral industry launched an intensive investigation. The Society of American Florists, floriculture's national trade association representing 50,000 U.S. industry men, collaborated with The Ohio State University on a poinsettia research project. The objective was to determine whether there is any foundation to the allegation that the poinsettia (scientific name: Euphorbia Pulcherrima) is a poisonous plant.
Source: • New York State Flower Industries, Inc. Bulletin #73
Keywords: Euphorbia pulcherrima hazardous sub stances poisonous denying the petition eating a poinsettia leaf (bract).
Libraries: Floriculture