Poinsettia,Christmas Star

A shrub up to 3 m high, usually pruned back to the old wood after flowering to prevent legginess and to induce a good display for the following winter. The true flowers are quite small and yellow – the spectacular display is provided by the bracts or coloured leaves, usually red, in some cultivars pink or white. They start to turn colour about October and usually persist until February.

Poinsettias are easy to propagate. A piece of stem about 2 cm thick and bearing 8 or 10 buds will grow if pushed into the ground, covering 4 or 5 buds. Be careful, the milky white sap is an irritant to sensitive skins.