Posted on 12/19/2010 9:44:57 PM PST by truthfinder9
The Aztec Christmas Flower
The Poinsettia was introduced from Mexico in the early 1800s by Joel Roberts Poinsett. Franciscan friars had been using them in their Christmas decorations. The poinsettia’s star-shaped leaf was said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem. The red leaves (yes, they are leaves) represented the blood of Jesus. Legends had arisen of a young girl and miracles occurring with the plant. Long before that the Aztecs had used them to make dyes and medication. They also used them in their human-sacrifice rituals, the leaves being a reminder of those who were sacrificed. Interesting to ponder that this symbol of Christmas was once part of such a terrible tradition from long centuries ago. Though, ironically, we still make the blood association. The plant’s supposed poison qualities, however, are a myth.
The sap is an irritant and may cause vomiting in pets.
They are not harmless if ingested.
You’re right — poisonous.
There’s a really nice Christmas story by Tomie di Paola about the Poinsettia. Gift idea for kids of picture book age.
Not poisonous. They are an irritant as are many inedible plants.
To his absolute horror, when someone gave Truman Capote a veritable horse-trough of Poinsettias, he remarked that, “Poinsettias are the Bob Goulet of botany.”
And that’s how to lurk during the Christmas Season. : )
Interesting that the plant is still symbolic of a sacrifice.
Joseph Campbell would have had a field day with this.
bookmark
Now I know which way the Pointsettia points when it ain’t Christmas. The sap being an irritant that can make pets vomit
reminds me of how I feel whenever some secularist/atheist runs off at the mouth pretending those evil Christians have stolen everything.
Who is claiming the Christians stole it?
Alcohol is an irritant and may cause vomiting in pets.
It is not harmless if ingested.
Look it up. No one in the world of botany considers them poisonous.
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