Christmas Star – Euphorbia pulcherrima

Christmas Star

Red leafed flower with poignant history
Reminds of life’s passion at Christmas time
Symbolic of seasonal light, glory

 

By Stephanie Eve Kane Arado

 

This plant, indigenous to Mexico is probably the most recognized flower associated with the Christmas season. It was held in such high esteem by Montezuma, the emperor of the ancient Aztecs that he had the plants potted and brought into the mountains where he reigned. The plant did not do well there (it does not tolerate below 50 degrees Fahrenheit), so had to be brought in frequently!

The Poinsettia has been referred to as the Christmas Star because of the resemblance of the bracts that surround the true flowers to stars. The bracts (or leaves) are pointed and circle the center yellow flowers in a radiant pattern. Among the Aztec the flower represented purity.

 

In Mexico there is a sweet story of how the Poinsettia came to be. According to the legend a young girl was on her way to celebrate the Christ child’s birth, but she was too poor to afford a gift. So she picked a bunch of scraggly green plants to present to him. She placed these before the alter and they blossomed with bright crimson star shaped flowers. This was a reminder that the most humble gift, given in love is perfection.

 

Among the Mayan people (at one time) these flowers were considered sacred. The Aztecs used the red bracts to produce a red dye. As a folk medicine it was used to treat skin issues, warts, and toothaches.

 

There is one other myth that needs dispelled. This plant is not a toxic killer…to people or pets!

In 1919 an urban legend was born after a child died after ingestion of the plant. The cause of death was never proven, but it never happened again! The latex of the plant can cause issues for those sensitive to it causing irritation to the skin, eyes and mucous membranes. If sufficient quantity is consumed it can cause nausea and vomiting, but NOT death.

Castor Bean – Ricinus communis

Castor Bean flowers

This very Toxic plant produces Ricin in all parts, but especially concentrated in its seeds. Ricin has been used in biologic warfare and terrorism. Ricin is found after the oil has been extracted, the cake that remains carries it. Symptomology of poisoning includes stomach irritation, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, increased heart rate, low blood pressure, profuse sweating, collapse, convulsions, and death within a few days. If death does not occur after 5 days, the patient normally recovers! The plant is also grown as a deterrent to ground burrowing pest in the yard and garden.

 

Even with the fear that Ricin may generate, the Castor Bean plant has been known in medicine

The infamous Castor oil has been used in the US since the days of the pioneers. As America’s west was settled people seemed to want vile concoctions dreamed up by ‘snake oil’ salesmen. The more unpleasant tasting the concoction, the better. Castor oil was used to treat everything from constipation to heartburn; it was even taken to induce labor!

 

The oil contains water resistant qualities that make it perfect for coating fabric, insulation, food containers, and guns. The dehydrated oil has qualities superior to linseed and tung oil! The Egyptians used the oil for fueling lamps. Herodotus (a Greek traveler) reported seeing castor oil used for body ointments, and for hair tonics to improve hair growth and texture. Cleopatra was even said to use it to brighten the whites of her eyes!

To read my former post

Poinsettia – Euphorbia pulcherrima

Poinsettia

…I have forgotten much, but still remember

The poinsettia’s red, blood-red in warm December…

By  Claude McKay (1890-1948)

 

 

In the United States and perhaps elsewhere, there is a common misconception that Poinsettias are toxic . The origin of this could be found in the fact that most plants of the spurge genus are indeed toxic and also because the name of the plant seems to refer to the word poison. This misconception was spread by a 1919 urban legend of a two-year-old child dying after consuming a poinsettia leaf. While it is true that the plant is not very toxic, those sensitive to latex may suffer an allergic reaction and it is therefore not advisable to bring the plants into the home of sensitive individuals.

Poinsettias were used for pain relief, antibacterial, and emetic. Folk medicine uses include remedies for skin, warts, and toothache. The Aztecs used the plant to produce red dye.

The ancient Aztecs considered the poinsettia to be a symbol of purity. Today, poinsettias are the most easily recognized flower symbolic of Christmas.

The plants’ association with Christmas started in 16th century Mexico, where legend tells of a young girl who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus’ birthday. The tale goes that the child was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from the roadside and place them in front of the church altar. Crimson “blossoms” sprouted from the weeds and became beautiful poinsettias. From the 17th century, Franciscan monks in Mexico included the plants in their Christmas celebrations.

Castor Bean Plant – Ricinus communis

Castor Bean Plant

This plant is impressive with its color and size. It is used to protect garden areas from predation by underground pests such as moles.

Castor beans have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs dating back to 4000 B.C., and the oil was used thousands of years ago in wick lamps for lighting. It was used as medicine during the settling of America.

The entire plant is toxic due to ricin in high quantities. As little as 1 seed can kill a child!

Symptoms of ricin poisoning begin within hours after exposure by ingestion or inhalation. They include stomach irritation, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, increased heart rate, low blood pressure, profuse sweating, collapse, convulsions, and death within a few days. Victims that do not die in 3 to 5 days usually recover. 

If you use this plant in you landscape use caution where children and animals are concerned!!!!!