Poinsettia Facts
Christmas in the US would not be the same without the cheery blooms of the poinsettia; facts debunking the myth that the plant is poisonous may make it even more popular every year.
For many years, people have believed that the beautiful red, white or yellow poinsettia is a truly toxic plant that should be admired from afar. Households with small children may forego having the plant in their home at all over the holidays, for fear that one of the children may accidentally ingest a leaf and become ill. While it is unknown where these unfounded poinsettia “facts” may have originated, it has been proven that they are indeed false.
Probably the most trusting source for the myth buster is the Ohio State University, at which researchers have conducted numerous tests on the toxicity of the poinsettia. Monitoring the after effects of consuming abnormal amounts of all parts of the plant, including sap, leaves and stems, they have concluded that the poinsettia, facts proving their findings, is indeed non-toxic. PoisonIndex, the resource utilized by the majority of the poison control centers across the United States, has stated that a child weighing 50 pounds would have to eat over one pound of poinsettia bracts to exceed the amounts used in the experiments which had no toxicity at all. One pound of bracts would consist of at least 500 leaves of the poinsettia; facts that cannot be denied would be a ridiculous amount.
Scientific tests to prove the poinsettia facts that they are not poisonous have been ongoing for the past 23 years. However, myths are notorious in their persistence; each new generation faces the question and then errs on the side of caution by believing the myth. Exhaustive studies continually confirm the original findings: no mortality, no toxic symptoms and no changes in normal behavior have ever been exhibited in any of the animal testing that has been completed. As far as the validity of animal testing on the poinsettia, facts prove that animal testing results are wholeheartedly accepted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission as compelling evidence regarding harmful ingredients for humans.
Based on the overwhelming evidence, the poinsettia should be regarded in a new light both at the holidays and throughout the year as a welcome beautiful addition to household plants. While known as a Christmas plant, the poinsettia, facts show, can be retained after Christmas and encouraged into growth once again with some patience and dedication.
Poinsettia facts show that the plant should be enjoyed for its beautiful and cheery nature, and not feared for any misconceptions of poison or toxicity that were made many years ago. Putting faith into modern testing and believing in their results will bring the poinsettia into a more favorable and welcome status.