His son, Paul Ecke Jr. impacted the history of poinsettias by helping the horticultural industry push for floral and nursery crops to be included in the US Department of Agricultures research budget. December 18, 2021. Some may surprise you! Because of its brilliant color, the poinsettia was a symbol of purity to the Indians. During this time of the year, poinsettias are all around! Imagine acres of poinsettias in all colors and sizes! In Spain, Puerto Rico, and Central America, it is known as the Easter Flower. Mexico outlawed slavery in 1820. In Spain, Puerto Rico, and other Central America countries it's known as Flor de Pascua or Pascua, meaning Christmas Flower. [24] It can induce asthma and allergic rhinitis in certain groups of people. The poinsettia is native to Mexico and Central America, where it grows in moist, wet, wooded ravines and on rocky hillsides. The United Nations geoscheme defines "North America" as consisting of three regions . In fact, it provides 80% of the poinsettias in the United States, and about 50% of the worlds supply of poinsettias! [36] There are over 100 cultivated varieties of poinsettia that have been patented in the US. This is impossible for the poinsettia was shown to the Philadelphia public in June of 1829, over six months before Poinsett returned from Mexico. Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are popular potted plants, particularly during the Christmas season. It makes it hard to pick just one! The rest is history. 2023Yankee Publishing, Inc., An Employee-Owned Company ex Klotzsch. Its relatively easy to tell when a poinsettia needs water, Trinklein said. Holidays are my favorite times of the year, because there's no feeling like celebrating with friends and family. It was re-discovered or at least brought to the attention of the outside world in the 1820s by an American, Joel Roberts Poinsett (1778-1851). Bacterial diseases include bacterial soft rot and bacterial canker, while a viral disease is Poinsettia mosaic virus. The shape of the plant looks like a star. Gosh, I woulda thought the red and green colors were chosen for the same reason as chosen in European tradition- red for Christ's blood and green for eternal life- colors that had to be used symbolically at certain points because Christianity had come under such persecution. Central America The poinsettia flower is native to Central America - specifically, an area in southern Mexico called "Taxco del Alarcon" - and the plants were used by the ancient Aztecs to make a purple dye for clothing and cosmetics. Specific details about its spread from there are largely unverifiable, but it was exhibited at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's 1829 Philadelphia Flower Show by Colonel Robert Carr. Photo by Scott Bauer, USDA Agricultural Research Service. One of the noteworthy exhibits was A new Euphorbia with bright scarlet bracteas or floral leaves, presented to the Bartram collection by Mr. Poinsett, United States Minister to Mexico. There can be no doubt that this was the poinsettia, now known as Euphorbia pulcherrima. If that's your experience, it's time you learned about growing poinsettia plants outside. The poinsettia plant is a ubiquitous Christmas staple. Philadelphia, PA 19143 In Spain, Puerto Rico, and other Central America countries it's known as Flor de Pascua or Pascua, meaning Christmas Flower. She was very poor so all she could do was picka bouquet of weeds to offer. The son of a French physician, Poinsett was appointed as the first United States Ambassador to Mexico (1825-1829) by President James Madison. Check out our post on National Poinsettia Day, including fun and festive ways to celebrate the day! Poinsettia plants are native to Central America, especially an area of southern Mexico known as 'Taxco del Alarcon' where they flower during the winter. In warm climates the poinsettia grows outdoors as a winter-flowering leggy shrub about 3 metres (10 feet) high; as a potted plant in northern areas it rarely grows beyond 1 metre. Frequently Asked Questions. Dont forget to check out Santas list to see if youve been naughty or nice this year. Many new poinsettia colors are not the result of plant breeding. Enjoy upcomingworkshops, self-care, and events. poinsettia, ( Euphorbia pulcherrima ), well-known member of the spurge family ( Euphorbiaceae ), commonly sold as an ornamental at Christmastime. [5] Similarly, a cat or dog's exposure to poinsettias rarely necessitates medical treatment. He later established Ecke Ranch in Encinitas, California. [14], The tropical dry forests where wild poinsettias grow experience largely unregulated deforestation, resulting in habitat loss. He developed a secret grafting technique for the plants. The demand for live poinsettias faces increasing criticism for being wasteful. They brought back artifacts to display in Washington, DC (in what is now part of the Smithsonian). The botanical name for Poinsettias is Euphorbia pulcherrima, which literally means the most beautiful Euphorbia. Native to Mexico, the plant is called Flor de la Noche Buena (Flower of the Holy Night) due to its resemblance to the Star of Bethlehem. Nicknamed Mr. In the United States, California produces the most Poinsettias followed by North Carolina in second place, and then by Texas in third place. For over 150 years, December 12 was considered National Poinsettia Day to honor the day of Poinsett's death in 1851. You might be interested to know that each aspect of the poinsettia flower holds religious symbolism and has a different meaning. To narrow it down, these flowers originated from the quaint little town of Taxco de Alarcn in Mexico. Mini poinsettias in a 6cm pot only need half a shot glass of water. I also love celebrating national days because, here, its Always the Holidays. It has since been spread in our gardens near Philadelphia, and is know in some as the Euphorbia Poinseti; but appears to me to form a peculiar genus or S. G. at least. Aside from the Christmas tree itself, no plant symbolizes Christmas quite like the poinsettia. It is native to the countries of Mexico and Guatemala. After its introduction in Philadelphia, the poinsettia was shipped around the country during the 1800s, usually as an outdoor plant for warm climates. The birth flowers of December are Narcissus and Poinsettias. what is the poinsettia called in central america what is the poinsettia called in central america. Lets celebrate this beautiful plant by learning facts about poinsettias, and discovering more about the history, origin and symbolism and meaning of the poinsettia. 1. Oleander is grown as a heat- and drought-tolerant evergreen flowering shrub in gardens throughout Florida. It was introduced to the United States in 1828 and got its name from Joel Roberts Poinsett. Then touch the surface of the soil. Poinsettias ( Euphorbia pulcherrima) do need special care to keep bloomingand can be kept year after year to rebloom, if you give them proper care. External exposure to the plant may result in a skin rash for some. . The new euphorbia was re-named Poinsettia pulcherrima by Robert C. Graham, Regius Professor of Botany at Edinburgh, in an article prepared both for Curtiss and the Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal. The common name we use today was believed to have been coined around 1836. The Eckes' technique made it possible to get every seedling to branch, resulting in a bushier plant. The poinsettia, a red-leafed plant that appears everywhere around Christmastime, first came to the United States in the late 1820s. 12. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Though often stated to be highly toxic, the poinsettia is not dangerous[4] to pets or children. William Maclure returned briefly to Philadelphia in the fall of 1828, and he brought yet more Mexican seeds and plants with him. To find the real (Nahuatl) name for this beautiful plant, check out the real history on my Facebook page. Did you enjoy learning those facts about poinsettias? Custom programming and server maintenance by Reinvented Inc. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a Baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." Ecke, who lived inCalifornia, discovereda technique which caused seedlings to branch, resulting in a fuller plant. The Mexican poinsettia, known as the Christmas Flower in North America, is used in most Christmas decorations, owing to its bright red color and its blooming season coinciding with the Christmas holiday season. It is in the same family as frangipani and milkweed. They produced a fuller, more compact plant by grafting two varieties of poinsettia together. 1. You may also see it written as La Flor de la Nochebuena, which means Flower of Christmas Eve. He was a botanist and the first United States Minister to Mexico. Vavilov recognized _____ centers of origin of cultivated plants. In Euphorbia, the flowers are reduced even more and then aggregated into an inflorescence or cluster of flowers. It was also a flower used by Catholics as proof that Indians should be forcibly converted (which is part of a legend). The Poinsettias native to southern Mexico & Mesoamerica, unlike todays commercial cultivars, grow into straight & tall trees. It was almost certainly seen by early European explorers and colonists, but somehow never entered cultivation in Europe. In fact, he is one of the reasons the Smithsonian Institute exists as a museum. The ancient Aztecs called them 'cuetlaxochitl'. 7 C. 8 D. 20 E. 25, 2. What looks like petals are specialized leaves called bracts. 1993 to document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Curators of the University of Missouri, all rights reserved, DMCA and other copyright information. It is native to Mexico and Central America with a few very interesting meanings and symbolism. Poinsettias get their American name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, who brought them to the states from Mexico in the early 1800s. [7], It was known by the common name "poinsettia" as early as 1836,[8] derived from Joel Roberts Poinsett, a botanist and the first US Minister to Mexico. The poinsettia is native to Mexico and Central America, where it grows in moist, wet, wooded ravines and on rocky hillsides. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). There, it is a deciduous flowering shrub, growing up to 10 feet in height. At the time, Joel Roberts Poinsett was the US Secretary of War, and was in charge of the United States Exploring Expedition. Despite its short sales period, poinsettia contributed $170 million to the U.S. economy last year, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. They are a small shrub, but over time have been trained to grow as the potted plants we so often see during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Enjoy all that theTidal Schuylkill Riverhas to offer. This international symbol of winter cheer was first successfully grown outside its Mexican homeland by Robert and Ann Bartram Carr at the Bartrams Garden in Philadelphia. Many Americans only see poinsettia plants when they are wrapped in tinsel on the holiday table. Paul Ecke Jr. also went on talk shows to promote the plant. N. I. Vavilov followed up work on the origin of cultivated plants by a Swiss botanist named A. Alphonse de Candolle. If you make it out to the Smithsonian Gardens for Christmas this year, make sure to look at all of the beautiful poinsettias! [10] Prior to poinsettia, it was known as "Mexican flame flower" or "painted leaf". Often these trees can reach heights up to 10 feet tall. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Plaid Bucilla Counted Cross Stitch Poinsettia & Berries Stocking Cuff Kit 2002 at the best online prices at eBay! Poinsett, Maclure, Say, and Keating all arranged for Mexican seeds of plants to be sent to Bartrams Garden. Flor . [28] From the 17th century, Franciscan friars in Mexico included the plants in their Christmas celebrations. Press Esc key to exit and to go to the next section at any time. Joel Roberts Poinsett was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on March 2, 1779. North America: View of the Milky Way over Echo Lake in Colorado. The plants also require abundant light during the day for the brightest color. Conditions that promote poinsettia propagation also favor certain diseases. The botanical name for Poinsettias is Euphorbia Pulcherrima, which literally means "the most beautiful Euphorbia". They also used the poinsettias' milky white sap wax to create a medicine to treat fevers. Poinsettia plants are native to Central America, most commonly in southern Mexico, where they flower during the winter. The poinsettia's small flowers are surrounded by colorful leaves called bracts. And, I woulda thought the poinsettia would've been snatched up as the perfect plant for Christmas not because of a marketing scheme, but because it was the Christmas colors. Poinsettias, just like most members of the Euphorbiaceae plant family, do not like wet soil, he said. What is a poinsettia called in Mexico? When the cyathia are missing, the plant is likely past its prime. White poinsettias symbolize Christs purity. 1121 Main Street | P.O. Poinsettia is our nations most popular potted flowering plant. Are you a Southwest artist? Check out this post to learn how to grow poinsettias indoors for the holidays and beyond. It is only fair. Luke 2:8-14 After the new scarlet euphorbia was introduced to the public in 1829, the plant was widely propagated, and became a popular mainstay of the Philadelphia florist trade. It is actually the plant's leaves that provide its color through a process called photoperiodism. "[8], The poinsettia is the world's most economically important potted plant. At this early stage, the appropriate scientific name for the poinsettia was still in doubt. Congress passed a bill in 2002 making December 12, National Poinsettia Day (which is also the anniversary of Joel Roberts Poinsetts death). Poinsett was elected a member of the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia in early 1827, and this seems to have cemented his connection with the Philadelphia scientific community and with Bartrams Garden .In early 1828, William Maclure, a longtime friend of Poinsett, and Thomas Say, a Bartram nephew, travelled to Mexico, visiting Vera Cruz and Mexico City. The legend says that there once was a little girl from Mexico named Pepita who wanted to see the baby Jesus on Christmas Eve. This has not been documented in wild poinsettias, though, as cultivars seldom flower and do not produce fruits. You say poin-set-ee-uh, I say poin-set-uhbut lets call the whole thing off because the name of the ubiquitous holiday plant can be pronounced either way. Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, the poinsettia was first described by Europeans in 1834. In Mexico, the poinsettia is known as Flor de Nochebuena, or Christmas Eve Flower. Poinsett was a botanist, physician and the first United States Ambassador to Mexico. Celebrate Santas List Day Find Out Who Is On The Nice List This Year. just read the article Native to southern Mexico and Central America, poinsettia has become symbolic of the holiday season for many Americans. Visions of Grandeur. The plant bears dark green dentate leaves that measure 716 centimetres (2.86.3in) in length. ), In the summer of 1833, the botanist Constantine Rafinesque published the first scientific description of the poinsettia in Philadelphia, for his Atlantic Journal. Find out more about Jess here. What is the Aztec name for poinsettia? Pick up the pot. (botany) a. la flor de Pascua. Native to southern Mexico and Central America, the poinsettia has become symbolic of the holiday season for many Americans. It derives its common English name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States minister to Mexico, who is credited with introducing the plant to the US in the 1820s. James McNab also visited Philadelphia, and Bartrams Garden in the summer of 1834, and probably took the first successful poinsettia plants back with him to Edinburgh in the fall. University of Missouri Extension is an equal opportunity/access/affirmative action/pro-disabled and veteran employer. Like many of America's Thanksgiving staples, the poinsettia. Avoid drafts, keeping temperatures between 65 and70F. Cut off the fading bracts, leaving 4-6 inches of the stem on each branch and as many green leaves as possible. a plant, Euphorbia (Poinsettia) pulcherrima, of the spurge family, native to Mexico and Central America, having variously lobed leaves and brilliant scarlet, pink, or white petallike bracts. Corrections? [9] Possibly as early as 1826, Poinsett began sending poinsettias from Mexico back to his greenhouses in South Carolina. The plants can be kept as houseplants, though they require specific care in order to trigger the bracts to change colour and bloom again the following year. [5], An attempt to determine a poisonous dose of poinsettia to rats failed, even after reaching experimental doses equivalent to consuming 500 leaves, or nearly 1kg (2.2lb) of sap. Even thought National Poinsettia Day is observed in the United States, December 12 is also celebrated in Mexico the celebration of Lady Guadalupe. The Aztecs used the poinsettia bracts to make a reddish-purple dye for fabrics and used the sap medicinally to control fevers. Use Esc key to go back to input search field. Head to Always the Holidays for facts about poinsettias as well as their history, origin, meaning and symbolism! December 12, 1851 is the day Joel Roberts Poinsett died. [21], Poinsettias are popularly, though incorrectly, said to be toxic to humans and other animals. Poinsettias are also called Flores de la Noche Buena or Flowers of the Holy Night. 3: Oleander. But the reason poinsettias became so popular is due to Paul Ecke and his inventiveness. Brightly colored and mostly red, a Poinsettia provides effective color in home decor during and after the holiday season. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small commission from the sale, but the price is the same for you. The holotype had been collected in Mexico during an 18031804 expedition by Alexander von Humboldt and Aim Bonpland. The Aztecs had many uses for them including using the flowers (actually special types of bright leaves known as bracts rather than flowers) to make a purple dye for clothes & cosmetics The milky white sap, latex, was made into a medicine to treat fevers. hessy wa kayole pictures. The Countries That Make Up Central America. Poinsettia plants are native to Central America regions, from southern Guatemala to Mexico. If your poinsettia is wrapped in decorative foil, make sure there is a drain hole in the foil. California remainsthe top U.S. poinsettia-producing state. Looking for more inspiration for the holidays? However, florist dye them in common colors or even add shimmers to make them much more visually engaging during Christmas. The poinsettia is native to the tropical areas of southern Mexico and Central America, where it grows as a small tree. Up and Down arrows will open main level menus and toggle through sub tier links. Welcome Center: Open Friday & Saturday, 9:30 am4:30 pm, Public Restrooms: Open MondaySaturday, 9:30 am4:30 pm. This is the most likely route for plants of the poinsettia to Bartrams Garden. Joel T. Fry has served as curator for Bartrams Garden, the home of John and William Bartram in Philadelphia, PA, since 1992. They form a circle around a cluster of small yellow flowers on the plant. If you enjoyed learning these facts about poinsettias, and discovering National Poinsettia Day, youll be excited to know there are actually several national days of the year dedicated to plants. This marketing made them the best selling potted plant, not only in the United States, but also in Canada too. The coast is lowlands, but the rest of the countries are made up of . Here are five things you should know about Central America. As part of his mission to expand cooperation between the two countries, Poinsett shipped plants and seeds between Mexico and the United States. Want to learn more about this beautiful plant? Intolerant of the cold, in the North, it is grown almost exclusively indoors. The poinsettia ( / pnst ( i) /; [1] [2] [3] Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a commercially important flowering plant species of the diverse spurge family Euphorbiaceae. In Mexico, the poinsettia is known as Flor de Nochebuena, or Christmas Eve Flower. What is a poinsettia called in Central America? March 1, 2023, Publication date: And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. The Aztecs referred to poinsettia as "cuetlaxochitl" (brilliant flower), while the Maya called them "k'alul wits" (ember flower). In their native environment, poinsettias grow like a shrub and can reach heights of up to 15ft tall. How did a tropical plant become an unlikely symbol of the Christmas holiday? Remove any excess water that is still in the planter after 10 minutes. Euphorbia pulcherrima, the botanical name, or poinsettia as we call it is native to Mexico and Guatemala in Central America. Poinsettias come in many colors, including scarlet, ivory, pink and mauve. Poinsett found in Mexico an exotic plant that blooms red, pointy leaves not petals during winter. Poinsettia resembled a known North American native, Euphorbia heterophylla and so for a time it was referred to under that name. #poinsettiafacts. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. [30], Poinsettias are popular Christmas decorations[31] in homes, churches, offices, and elsewhere across North America, as a result of an extensive marketing campaign by the Ecke family that began by shipping free poinsettias to television stations for use on-air. If ingested, mild drooling or vomiting can occur, or rarely, diarrhea. They make a lovely and festive houseplant. . Uncover the interconnected stories of thishistoric site. Use arrows left and right to move between the items. Unlike fresh Christmas trees, the cultivation of which has some ecological benefits and for which many municipalities have recycling programs, poinsettias are fairly resource-intensive and typically end up in landfills after the holiday. . [27] Crimson blossoms sprouted from the weeds and became poinsettias. document.getElementById("eeb-998483-568343").innerHTML = eval(decodeURIComponent("%27%69%6e%66%6f%40%62%61%72%74%72%61%6d%73%67%61%72%64%65%6e%2e%6f%72%67%27"))*protected email*. [42], American Association of Poison Control Centers, "Beschreibung zweier neuen Euphorbien aus Mexico", "The Poinsettia: History and Transformation", "Poinsettia's wild ancestor in the Mexican dry tropics: Historical, genetic, and environmental evidence", "The Legends and Traditions of Holiday Plants | Horticulture and Home Pest News", "The Legends and Traditions of Holiday Plants", "The poinsettia: Jesus' life story in a plant", "The bloom is off the poinsettia business", "How America's Most Popular Potted Plant Captured Christmas", "First Report of Wilt and Stem Canker of Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) Caused by Phytophthora nicotianae in Puerto Rico", "Poinsettias: Helping an Icon to Bloom at the Right Time", "How Poinsettias Became Synonymous With Christmas", Plant Pathology Fact Sheet: Poinsettia Diseases, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Poinsettia&oldid=1135037680, This page was last edited on 22 January 2023, at 06:36. A common myth that has existed for generations is that a poinsettia's leaves are poisonous. Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, the poinsettia was first described by Europeans in 1834. It's one of the most popular plants in the world, with annual sales of ~90m units and a global retail impact of nearly $1B. December 12 has been officially designated by the U.S. Congress as National Poinsettia Day in honor of the first Ambassador to the new Republic of Mexico, Joel Poinsett, as well as of American businessman, Paul Ecke Jr., who later successfully marketed the poinsettia worldwide. The poinsettia is a native plant of Mexico and originated in a rather limited region near present day Taxco. Fungal diseases affecting greenhouse poinsettia operations include Pythium root rot, Rhizoctonia root and stem rot, black root rot, scab, powdery mildew, and Botrytis blight. Today, Poinsettias are not only the most popular Christmas plant, but the best-selling potted plant in the United States and Canada, contributingover $250 million to the U.S. economy at the retail level. A conservation risk typical for species with wild and cultivated populations is the contamination of the wild gene pool by hybridization with cultivated individuals. The Ecke family of southern California began growing Why are the leaves on a poinsettia plant red? In addition to being an avid botanist, Joel Roberts Poinsett was very passionate about science. [25][26], The poinsettia occurs in North and Central America, from Mexico to southern Guatemala. The Christmas rose, also called the Snow or Winter Rose, is a well known English plant. Poinsettias prefer moist, well-drained soils with a soil pH between 5.5 and 6.5. 2 (March/April), Funding Agricultural Business Development With Federal and State Grants, Dairy Grazing: Genetics of the Grazing Cow, Interpretation of Laboratory Analysis of Biosolids Samples, Medical Image Data Collection & Management, Agricultural Business and Policy Extension, Exceed - Regional Economic and Entrepreneurial Development, Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center, Missouri Small Business Development Centers, Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, Veterinary Extension and Continuing Education, Missouri Council for Activity and Nutrition, https://extension.missouri.edu/media/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/stock/plants/Poinsettia-ARS.jpg, equal opportunity/access/affirmative action/pro-disabled and veteran employer. Euphorbia pulcherrima is a sub-tropical plant, native to Mexico. Some have even been treated with dyes, painted, or sprayed with glitter. You can skip fertilizer or plant food, Trinklein said. The paper trail of the poinsettia next appears at The first semi-annual Exhibition of fruits, flowers and plants, of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, held June 6, 1829. In mid-May, do the following: Cut the stems back to about four inches and repot your poinsettia into a slightly larger container filled with new potting soil. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. The site navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and space bar key commands. Though she was embarrassed by her small gift, as she walked to the nativity scene, she kept thinking of what her cousin said. The poinsettia may have remained a regional plant for many years to come had it not been for the efforts of Joel Roberts Poinsett (1779 1851). Buist was a great popularizer of the new plant, but has undeservedly received major credit for its introduction. Click to see our Privacy Policy, Christmas is here, bring on the poinsettias!! Left and right arrows move across top level links and expand / close menus in sub levels. This happens if purchase through an affiliate link but the price the the same for you. The successful transport of live plants from Mexico to Philadelphia in 1828 was almost certainly due to the fact that a number of friends of Bartrams Garden were on the scene in Mexico. Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." The popularity of the poinsettia as a Christmas flower is due, in large part, to the Ecke family. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like 1. Thomas Say sent over a hundred varieties of seeds from Mexico, of my own collecting in a letter to Robert Carr dated July 23, 1828. According to legend, a young peasant girl picked poinsettia greens as a Christmas Eve gift for the baby Jesus. Poinsettia, Paul Ecke Sr. first started selling poinsettias in roadside stands. The true flowers are the yellow bead-like structures in the center of the poinsettia (called cyathia). [37][11][12], To produce extra axillary buds that are necessary for plants containing multiple flowers, a phytoplasma infectionwhose symptoms include the proliferation of axillary budsis used. For us to begin, we have to go all the way back to 14th-century Mexico. The colorful part of the poinsettia that we enjoy isn't a flower. Because of its brilliant color & convenient holiday blooming time, Franciscan priests, near Taxco, began to use the flower in the Fiesta of Santa Pesebre, a nativity procession. Cuetlaxochitl: the origin of the Poinsettia. [11][12] The colors of the bracts are created through photoperiodism, meaning that they require darkness (at least fourteen hours at a time for 68 weeks in a row) to change color. Many plants in the Euphorbiaceae family ooze a milky white sap which can cause skin irritations for people who are allergic to latex. Unfortunately for history, Graham relied on Buists own incorrect account of the introduction of the plant, and omitted any mention of the Carrs or Bartrams Garden.