A poinsettia is a tropical plant from Mexico famous for its bright red leaves that appear during winter, making it one of the most popular decorations during Christmas time. What look like red flower petals are actually special leaves called bracts that turn brilliant scarlet, while the real flowers are the tiny yellow buds clustered in the center.

In Mexico, where poinsettias grow wild and can reach ten feet tall, the Aztecs called them cuetlaxochitl and used their red parts to make dye.

Today's poinsettias come in many colors: traditional red, pure white, soft pink, and even speckled varieties. They're famously tricky to keep alive after the holidays because they need just the right amount of water and warmth. The legend that poinsettias are poisonous is mostly false: they can cause mild stomach upset if eaten, but they usually won't seriously harm people or pets. In their native habitat, poinsettias bloom naturally when days get shorter, which is why they're associated with winter holidays in the Northern Hemisphere.