The poinsettia is a holiday favorite, indigenous to Mexico and Central America. The colored leaves at the top of the plant, called bracts, are often confused as the flower of the plant. The flowers are much smaller and hardly noticeable.
They are most often red, but they can also be orange, light green, pink, cream, white or marbled. The color is created through a process called photoperiodism, which requires alternating between 12 hours of darkness and 12 hours of full sunlight for five consecutive days to achieve the bright colors they are known for.
While the sap and latex of the plant contain chemicals that are mildly toxic, it would be necessary to ingest over 500 bracts to have any serious effect on a 50 pound child, according to the Center for Poison Control. The plants do have a more severe effect on animals, especially cats, and should be kept in a safe place, away from pets.
