Lovesick Romeo is speaking metaphorically of his beautiful Juliet when he says, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." The poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima, isn't known for its fragrance, but surely the plant would be prized for its bright cheerful color no matter what its name. In fact, its species name--pulcherrima--means "very beautiful."

The poinsettia was named for Joel Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, who took cuttings from a tall shrub he found growing next to a road in the wilds of southern Mexico and brought them back to his South Carolina greenhouse. (By an Act of Congress, December 12, the day of Poinsett's death in 1851, has been designated National Poinsettia Day.)

Most poinsettias cultivated for sale are vibrant crimson in color. However, poinsettias may also be pink, white, marbled, speckled or yellow.

According to Bob Gough, horticulture specialist with the Montana State University Extension Service, the showy, colored parts of poinsettias are colored bracts, or modified leaves. The inconspicuous greenish flowers are at the center of the bracts.

Choosing a healthy poinsettia is a simple matter, says Gough. To check the poinsettia's maturity, look at those true flowers at the base of the colored bracts. If the flowers are green or red-tipped and fresh-looking, the bloom will last longer than if yellow pollen is covering the flowers. On a fresh plant, little or no pollen shows on the flower clusters.

"Look for plants with dense, plentiful foliage all the way to the soil line," Gough advises. "Although an abundance of rich green foliage is a sign of a healthy plant, avoid plants with too much green around the bract edges--a sign the plant was shipped before it was mature. Avoid any plant with yellowed, drooping or wilting leaves or wilting stems.

"And check the plant for insects. If you brush the leaves and see what looks like flecks of dandruff drop from their undersides, the plant probably has an infestation of whitefly. Don t bring an infested plants into your house--put it back on the shelf and choose another."

The length of time a poinsettia will brighten your home depends largely on how you treat the plant, says Gough. With proper care, poinsettias should retain their beauty for weeks. Some varieties will stay attractive for months.

Gough has a number of suggestions for keeping your poinsettia looking its best:

--Be sure the poinsettia is wrapped properly for carrying home. A roomy shopping bag might do the trick. Exposure to low temperatures for even a few minutes can damage bracts and leaves.

--Place the poinsettia in indirect sunlight for at least six hours a day. If direct sun can't be avoided, diffuse the light with a shade or sheer curtain.

--Keep the plant away from warm or cold drafts from fireplaces, radiators and air registers, and open doors and windows. Don't let any part of it touch a cold window.

--Most homes are kept too warm for optimal houseplant growth. Poinsettias do best in daytime temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees F and nighttime temperatures around 60 degrees. High temperatures will shorten the plant's life. Move the plant to a cool room at night, if possible.

--Check the soil every day, and water only when the soil is dry. As with all plants purchased with foil wraps, be sure to punch holes in the pot-covering so water can drain into a saucer. Discard excess water.

Incidentally, according to Gough, the poinsettia is not poisonous.

As with all ornamental plants, poinsettias are not intended for human or animal consumption, he says, and some people may experience an allergic reaction to poinsettias. However, the poinsettia has been shown to be safe. In fact, in 1992, the poinsettia was included on a list of houseplants that remove pollutants from indoor air. So this beautiful plant can even help clean the environment!

story by Scott Freutel