Poinsettia

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima ) in Belize

The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima ) also known as Advent Star, Poinsettia or Christmas Star, is a species of the genus Euphorbia (Euphorbia ) in the family of Euphorbiaceae ( Euphorbiaceae ). Poinsettias are ( bracts ) that are arranged in a star shape, coveted houseplants due to their showy, intensely colored bracts. Often, the bracts are mistaken for bracts.

Name

About the Name spurge Euphorbia see section " Naming ". The specific epithet pulcherrima is Latin and means " the most beautiful ".

The name still occasionally used by gardeners Poinsettia is derived from the earlier botanical genus name poinsettia. This name is Poinsettia again after the American ambassador to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett, named, who introduced the plant in the early 19th century in the United States.

Description and ecology

Appearance and foliage leaf

The natural way Euphorbia pulcherrima is achieved woody-stemmed and sparse branching, the growth heights up to 4 meters an evergreen shrub. Landscaped cultivated plants, however, are much smaller and more or less branched strongly controlled by the culture methods of the gardener. The plants contain white latex. Young plants have a thickened, succulent root and are generally weak succulent. The short cylindrical branches are initially juicy, but become woody with time. The alternate arranged leaves are divided into petiole and leaf blade. The petiole is 2-8 inches long. The simple leaf blade is at a length of up to 12 inches and a width of 7 inches ( in dark state even larger), oblong oval, often slightly toothed. The upper leaf surface is dark green and the undersides lighter.

Inflorescence and flower

The main flowering period extends from November to January or February, depending on location bloom older branched poinsettias but also almost all year round. They are so-called short-day plants that only bloom when they do not get more than 12 hours of light. This is the case throughout the year at locations close to the equator. In Central Europe the dark phase is artificially extended with dark films at least 12 hours in nurseries from around October, so that the plants develop in time for Advent colored bracts. By manipulating the Hell-/Dunkelphasen could also bring poinsettias well at other times, to bloom.

The actual flowers are confused green - yellowish, small and inconspicuous and not with the large bracts ( bracts ), in whose midst they sit. What, as in all milkweed species, as well as the Christmas star, like a flower looks is one inflorescence cyathium (plural cyathia ) is called. Each individual flower is unisexual, either female or only male. The individual flowers are reduced to the bare essentials. In a cyathium, the center has only one female flower, which consists only of a stalked ovary and the stylus. The male flowers are arranged in a ring around the female flower. These consist of only a single stalked stamens each. Bloom, there are none. Evident are the standing on the outer edge of the cyathium nectar glands that individually the Christmas star or occur in pairs and are lip-shaped.

The bracts are for attracting insects. By breeding a large variance of colors has been created. In addition, there are also shades of red salmon-colored, variegated or white ( cream- white - not pure white ). Other colors such as blue, however, are artificial and are produced by spraying with plant-tolerated paint, or you also sprinkled a little glitter over it.

Distribution and history

The poinsettia is found in the tropical deciduous forests of Mexico, Central and South America. There, the distribution area of Mexico extends over the Caribbean Islands, Venezuela, and Brazil to Argentina. Introduced as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical regions other, it is often neglected. Thus, larger holdings in Africa ( for example, in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda), in Asia ( for example, in Burma, Malaysia and the Philippines), Australia and the Mediterranean region known.

The poinsettia was known to the Aztecs Cuetlaxochitl (actually cuetlax - Xochitl, leather flower) and was reportedly a favorite plant of Moctezuma II in 1804 brought the naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, the plant of his trip to America for the first time to Europe.

In Berlin he was then cataloged and was later ( 1833) by the botanist Carl Ludwig Willdenow the botanical name Euphorbia pulcherrima - "the most beautiful of the euphorbias ." 1834 Poinsettia by Johann Friedrich Klotzsch ( 1805-1860 ), physician, pharmacist and curator at the Botanical Museum was described by a document of " Willdenow " herbarium.

1828 was Joel Poinsett, U.S. ambassador to Mexico, so excited about the plants he saw on the ground that he brought her to his home in Greenville, South Carolina. From there he sent to friends and botanical gardens. A nursery in Pennsylvania was probably the first who sold the plant under its botanical name.

In 1836, the poinsettia by the historian and horticulturist William Prescott, the name " poinsettia " awarded to use a descriptive name for marketing can. Since Prescott was writing a book about the conquest of Mexico and thereby also described Poinsett's work for the spread of the plant, was for him the honor of the " discoverer " by naming this close.

At the beginning of the 20th century established the German immigrant family in California, the poinsettia corner as " Christmas Flower ". First, the star has been offered as a cut flower.

Breeding success ( in Germany ) to the 1950s it is due to that the poinsettia today to deal with than potted plant under the difficult conditions in heated rooms.

Especially as a house plant the poinsettia is very popular in Central Europe since about 1950. It comes in a variety of growth forms, such as immersion Rieber, More Trieber or as a phylum of Advent with the trade if it has been using flowers that are surrounded by the colored bracts.

Growing ornamental plants in Construction

Worldwide, the poinsettia to the numerically most commonly grown houseplants. The sale is highly seasonal tied because they can be as good as sell only during the Advent season.

Very popular is the Christmas star in the U.S., there is therefore deal with some breeders developing new varieties always. It is grown on growth, leaf color and shape, durability, Brakteenfarbe and shape, short culture times and much more.

The cultivation of these heat-loving plant in the fall and early winter is very energy intensive. Normally nurseries use only and covers ( energy shields) to save heating energy at night. The National Research Institute for Horticulture Weihenstephan ( Bavaria ) has developed a system in which, by a special control of ventilation and heating more than 50 percent energy savings compared with conventional farming methods. It is characterized by a cool morning, the addition harden the plants and ensures that the colors of the bracts are somewhat stronger. The cold stimulation also promotes the desired trade from compact growth, which is otherwise achieved partly by means of chemical inhibitors.

There are used different growth habits: "mini plant ", " One Rieber ," " More Trieber ", " hanging baskets ", decorative large plants, " pyramids " and " high stems ".

Varieties (Selection)

• White: ' Cortez White', 'Mars White ', ' White Star ', ' Premium White ', 'Bright White Princes ', ' Duemoon ', ' Eckes White ', ' Mikkel White ', ' Regina ', ' Sonora White'
• Pink: ' Cortez Pink', 'Pink Elf ', ' Da Vinci ', ' Mikkel Pink', ' Gropom ', 'Pink Peppermint ', ' Nobel Star', 'Bright Marble Queen ', ' Dorthea ', ' Duecapink ', ' Duespotpink ',' Duestarapri ',' Liberty Pink ', ' Sonora Pink '
• Red: ' Cortez ', ' Red Elf ', ' Mars ',' Brilliant Annette Hegg ',' Dark Red Annette Hegg ',' Angelica ',' Millennium ',' Lilo ',' Peter Star ',' Marlene ',' Goldfinger ',' Subjibi Bright Red Queen ' ( with variegated leaves )
• Two-tone: ' Sonora White Glitter' ( red and white), ' Dueredwi ' (pink and white), 'Ice Punch' ( red and white), ' Marble ' (pink and white), ' Marble Star' (pink and white), ' Maren ' (red and pink )
• Section places: ' corner point ' (red), 'Winter Rose Early Red ' (red), ' Jester Red' (red)

Health risk

The latex of Euphorbia, to which the poinsettia heard into contact with skin to skin irritation and if ingested mouth poisoning similar phenomena and indigestion. Euphorbia pulcherrima as spurge is overall slightly toxic.

Typical for the family of Euphorbiaceae irritating ingredients so-called diterpenes are, however, included only in the wild forms of this plant. In the cultivated, commercial poinsettia varieties these are not demonstrated.

" The literature and the experiences of toxicological information centers speak for the harmlessness of the plant ," said Dr. Dirk Ludolph of the Chamber of Agriculture of Lower Saxony. Professor Regina Karl of the University Hospital Dusseldorf takes in the Süddeutsche Zeitung of 16 November 2007 the following statement: " The Christmas Star, however, does not belong to the genus of the Euphorbiaceae Some contain skin irritating diterpenes, the poinsettia Therefore, one can not it be called toxic Anyway.. . it is not advisable to consume him. because after ingestion of large quantities of this plant, it may possibly lead to mucous membrane irritation and abdominal pain. Basically it can be said, however, that the Christmas star can be considered safe. "

Animals generally react more sensitive to plant substances as human beings. One danger for hares, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs and other rodents, cats and dogs as well as birds. Poisoning may show up in mucous membrane irritation, gastrointestinal discomfort associated with cramping and diarrhea often bloody, drop in body temperature, paralysis, bloody urine and feces, tumbling, liver damage and cardiac arrhythmias. For smaller animals, a fatal outcome can not be excluded. Have small animals eaten parts of plants, without delay professional help should be availed.

Gallery

From bracts surrounded inflorescence.

Permanent Collection of different colored hybrids.

Flower decoration in the foyer of the Wiesbaden Kurhaus of countless, arranged to form a meter-high cone poinsettias.