46 MISC. PUB. 882, U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
BN—13283 _ 
FIGURE 24.—Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd.) 
DistrIBUTION AND Haprrar.—Poinsettia is common to all the Vir- 
gin Islands where it is widely grown as an ornamental. The plants 
thrive best when grown in partial shade on deep, fertile soils in wet 
areas. Attempts to establish plants on shallow, rocky, dry soils in 
full sun on windblown sites have met with only partial success. Poin- 
settia is grown occasionally as a house plant. Plants are usually 
found only where they have been planted. 
Toxiciry AND Symproms.—The sap of poinsettia is highly irritating 
to the skin of susceptible persons (46). Many people have been se- 
verely poisoned while cutting and handling the plant. The powerful 
sap has been used to remove unwanted hair (60). Poinsettia poisoning 
causes a severe itching and burning of the skin; sometimes open sores 
occur that are subject to secondary infection. Children have been 
fatally poisoned from eating stems and leaves of the plant. When 
eaten by livestock, the plant causes severe stomach upset. 
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