what are its cultural significance?
Aztec people use the plant to produce red dye and as an antipyretic medication. They are also popular as Christmas decorations. The star-shaped leaf pattern is said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, and the red colour represents the blood sacrifice of Jesus's crucifixion.
Poinsettia
Aztec people use the plant to produce red dye and as an antipyretic medication. In Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs, the plant is called "Cuetlaxochitl", meaning "flower that grows in residues or soil" Today it is known in Mexico and Guatemala as "flor de Nochebuena", meaning Christmas Eve flower. In Spain it is known as "Flor de Pascua" or "Pascua", meaning Easter flower. In Chile and Peru, the plant became known as Crown of the Andes.

The plant's association with Christmas began in 16th-century Mexico, where legend tells of a girl, commonly called Pepita or María, who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus' birthday and 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 poinsettias. From the 17th century, Franciscan friars in Mexico included the plants in their Christmas celebrations. The star-shaped leaf pattern is said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem,
who introduced the poinsettia to the united states Joel Roberts Poinsett what is this introduced species? It is a commercially important plant species of the diverse spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). is it toxic? Although they are popularly said to be toxic, but that is incorrect. However, it may cause nausea, diarrhoea, or vomiting if swallowed.
wiki:1120810
Poinsettia [SEP] In culture
Aztec people use the plant to produce red dye and as an antipyretic medication. In Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs, the plant is called "Cuetlaxochitl", meaning "flower that grows in residues or soil" Today it is known in Mexico and Guatemala as "flor de Nochebuena", meaning Christmas Eve flower. In Spain it is known as "Flor de Pascua" or "Pascua", meaning Easter flower. In Chile and Peru, the plant became known as Crown of the Andes. The plant's association with Christmas began in 16th-century Mexico, where legend tells of a girl, commonly called Pepita or María, who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus' birthday and was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from the roadside and place them in front of the church altar.