One of the most common misconceptions of the poinsettia plant is that it is poisonous to people or pets. Scientists have repeatedly proven this incorrect. A 50-pound child would have to consume more than 500 poinsettia bracts to have any ill effects, and the resultng symptoms would be akin to an allergy or irritation.Similarly, a pet that eats poinsettia leaves will probably have an upset stomach and vomit them back up, but will suffer no other toxic effects.
Rather than being poisonous, the poinsettia is actually one of the most helpful houseplants in removing pollutants from the air.
The colored "bracts" that most people consider to be poinsettia flowers are actually leaves. The flowers are the tiny yellowish green buttons at the center of each set of bracts.
In Season Guide to Poinsettia
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