The star of Bethlehem, or the beautiful spurge, is a decoration of many tables decorated for Christmas Eve. But although it pleases the eye - and not only during the holidays - it can also make the holidays remain in your memory for a long time due to an unexpected visit to the hospital.

The star of Bethlehemthat isbeautiful spurgedoes not come from Bethlehem at all, but from Mexico and Guatemala, where it was discovered in the 1920s. Of the nineteenth century and transported to the USA, where it quickly gained popularity as housewives, decorating flowerbeds in home gardens.

The star of Bethlehem became much more popular several decades later, when a cultivar known today was bred that can withstand the conditions prevailing in the temperate zone.

In its natural environment, it is in the form of shrubs or low trees, up to three meters high. As a houseplant, it usually does not grow larger than 50 cm.

Star of Bethlehem: same flower, different names

The star of Bethlehem is a flower with several names. Apart from the one we know well, it is often referred to as the beautiful spurge or spurge - that's because it belongs to the spine family ( Euphorbiaceae ) by species.

Also known by another name: poinsettia. Some people think that this name comes from the word "poison", meaning "poison".

The truth is, however, much less romantic: the plant was named after one of the US ambassadors to Mexico, J.R Poinsett, a botanist who, according to the chronicles, was the first to send it from Mexico to the USA, thus starting the very fashion for this plant.

Why is the star of Bethlehem toxic?

Today, the star of Bethlehem is an inseparable element of Christmas interior design for many people.

It is worth knowing, however, that it has its dark side: like any spurgeon species, it produces pungent, white milk sap that contains euphorbic acid, euphorbine and cyanogenic compounds - it is present in both the root and leaves and in stem.

This juice, when it comes into contact with the skin, can cause unpleasant ailments:

  • blisters
  • ulceration
  • and even contact dermatitis

Swallowed in large amounts, it can be highly toxic - because it does contain itparts of the plant, especially the leaves, are very bitter, nobody will eat too much of their own accord - meanwhile, for an adult to poison it, he would have to eat several hundred leaves.

Swallowing a small amount of juice may cause nausea and vomiting, as well as gastrointestinal disturbances, including diarrhea.

It is worth knowing, however, that the star of Bethlehem contains a lot of natural latex, so people who are allergic to this substance may have symptoms of contact allergy after contact with poinsettias. This flower can also aggravate an asthma attack.

Is the star of Bethlehem poisonous to children and animals?

It is worth making sure that the poinsettia in the home is kept away from children's hands and out of the reach of allergy sufferers, and that pets do not have access to it.

Although the toxicity of this plant for pets, especially cats, is low, in some situations it can cause serious problems and the need to visit the vet.

This will happen when the animal drops the plant on the ground and starts to lick the white juice flowing from the broken stems, or chew on a leaf - the mucous membranes of its mouth will be severely affected, and only a strong painkiller will alleviate the pain of irritation.

If an animal swallows a leaf, it may develop severe diarrhea and vomiting.

If you suspect that your dog or cat has been in contact with the juice or leaves of the star of Bethlehem, rinse the affected area with lukewarm water and go to the vet as soon as possible.

Read also:

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  • Dieffenbachia: a poisoner from Brazil
  • Narcissi: all poisonous
  • Tulips: edible petals, stems and leaves, poisonous
  • Monstera: as beautiful as she is dangerous
  • Dracaena: dangerous to children, toxic to animals
  • Spurgeons: poisonous beauties
  • Peaceflower: decorative but poisonous
  • Passiflora - exotic passion flower
  • Common ivy (hedera helix) - poisonous, although healing
  • Cyclamen: poisonous beauty
  • Anthurium: challenging and dangerous
  • Kliwia - rich in poisonous alkaloids
  • Hoja full of toxic juice
  • Ficus - poisonous ficus
  • Amaryllis: poisonous belladonna
  • Common oleander - is oleander poisonous?

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