Poinsettia toxicity

Scientific noun: Euphorbia pulcherrima ; Poinsettia pulcherrima

Family: Spurge family - Euphorbiaceae.

Habitat:It is a native plant in Mexico, where it grows like a perennial bush that can attain more than 3 m. tall. It is used as a gardening plant in the rest of the world.

Components: Euphorbine.

Active parts: The whole plant.

Uses :Very well-known from the Aztec period who named it " Cuetlaxochitle." Its scientific noun "pulcherrima " was given by William Prescott a historian and gardener, who called it like this because of its "pulchritude" that's to say its beauty. It is also Known as Poinsettia by the fact that was introduced in United States by Joel Robert Poinsett in 1825. It is one of the most appreciated plants in this country, up to the point that December 12 is known as The Poinsettia National Day.

Toxicity: It seems that it is not so a poisonous plant for human beings which may lead to consider it more a non edible plant than a poisonous one. There were some unconfirmed reports at the beginning of the century which assign it deadly properties leading to the conclusion that it was a poisonous plant. Recent studies have concluded that it is not so a dangerous plant. A child should eat an impossible quantity of bracts - about 500 or 600 - to die although it can produce the symptoms seen below. However it must be avoided the contact of the sap with the skin because it can produce blisters. It may irritate the eyes if latex, containing euphorbine, gets in contact with them. So, although it is not a lethal poison, one should be aware of it.

Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, blisters in the skin.

Treatment : Induce the vomiting.

**Scientific noun: Euphorbia pulcherrima ; Poinsettia pulcherrima**

**Family: Spurge family - Euphorbiaceae.**

Habitat:It is a native plant in Mexico, where it grows like a perennial bush that can attain more than 3 m. tall. It is used as a gardening plant in the rest of the world.

Components: Euphorbine.

Active parts: The whole plant.

Uses :Very well-known from the Aztec period who named it " Cuetlaxochitle." Its scientific noun "pulcherrima " was given by William Prescott a historian and gardener, who called it like this because of its "pulchritude" that's to say its beauty. It is also Known as Poinsettia by the fact that was introduced in United States by Joel Robert Poinsett in 1825. It is one of the most appreciated plants in this country, up to the point that December 12 is known as The Poinsettia National Day.

Toxicity: It seems that it is not so a poisonous plant for human beings which may lead to consider it more a non edible plant than a poisonous one. There were some unconfirmed reports at the beginning of the century which assign it deadly properties leading to the conclusion that it was a poisonous plant. Recent studies have concluded that it is not so a dangerous plant. A child should eat an impossible quantity of bracts - about 500 or 600 - to die although it can produce the symptoms seen below. However it must be avoided the contact of the sap with the skin because it can produce blisters. It may irritate the eyes if latex, containing euphorbine, gets in contact with them. So, although it is not a lethal poison, one should be aware of it. Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, blisters in the skin. Treatment : Induce the vomiting.