Bohemian_Queen

Excelent article. I found very interesting that people would consider poinsettias toxic, let alone deadly! I'm originally from Mexico, from where this beautiful plant is native, and where it has been a symbol of Christmas, as well as popular holiday decoration, since the 16th century, and not once ever heard anyone refering as poinsettias (or nochebuenas as we know them) as toxic.

Poinsettias are highly appreciated in Mexico, and most mexicans are proud of the fact that the plant is indigenous to our country. This species has been known since the Pre-Columbian era, when the Aztecs used the plant to produce a red dye. So after centuries of having this plant in households, with kids and pets, if it was poisonous, I think it would be plenty of documented cases by now, which is not the case.

I'm also a pet lover, and proud pet parent of three dogs, whom I adore, and of course I'm always careful, but there's a difference between been careful and obsessive. I think John comments are exagerated, and out of the line. Seems like even in the pet world there's helicopter parents.

So again, thanks for the excelent article and for helping to clarify this misconception, by setting the record straight, hopefully that would help the beautiful poinsettias to break free from that bad reputation they didn't deserve.