EUPHORBIA PULCHERRIMA: CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, PROPERTIES - BIOLOGY - 2025

The Euphorbia pulcherrima, known as the Christmas flower or Poinsettia is native to Mexico and belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. At present it constitutes one of the main ornamental plants commercialized at Christmas time worldwide.

In the wild, it appears as a shrub-like plant, with a warm-temperate climate, which can reach an altitude of three meters. At a commercial level, produced in nurseries, there are different formats from the smallest or "uniform", to the large branched or "little trees".

Christmas flower (Euphorbia pulcherrima) Source: pixabay.com

The commercial character of this species is the presence of brightly colored bracts, ranging from red, pink, ivory, to white, depending on the variety. Commercial plants take 2-3 months to start flowering and coloring the bracts.

This species has different names, the most common being: poinsettia, poinsettia, poinsettia, poinsettia stick, macaw and shepherdess. Other names used in the Mexican region are Bandera, bebeta, Catalina, Flor de Santa Catalina and Santa Catarina.

characteristics

The Euphorbia pulcherrima species in its natural environment appears as a 4-5 m shrub with red and white bracts. It adapts to conditions of high humidity and hot climates, in open spaces, ravines and ravines.

As for the root, it is characterized by abundant ramifications of primary and secondary roots and absorbent hairs. It is a crop that requires frequent watering to avoid dehydration, and that the roots expand, altering the balance of the pot.

The simple leaves are of the nomophilic type with a 3 cm long petiole and reddish coloration. The leaf blade is dark green, glabrous across the upper surface and pubescent on the underside. The arrangement of the leaves is alternately.

The structural development of the plant is determined by the agronomic management that is given to the crop. The stem is semi-woody in appearance, with knots and internodes with numerous axillary buds capable of producing branches, leaves or flowers.

The flowers are made up of a group of inflorescences called characteristic cyathia in the Euphorbiaceae family. The cyat is formed by central female flowers of the tricarpellate ovary, surrounded by groups of pedicellate male flowers arranged in cincines.

The floral group is surrounded by tectic leaves of the male inflorescences called bracts, with a bright red color. The concrescently growing bracts form a kind of crown with several nectaries surrounding the flower.

Euphorbia pulcherrima flowers. Source: flickr.com

The flowering of the Christmas flower is subject to the photoperiod, that is, the temporal relationship between day and night. This is the reason why it blooms in winter times, when the day is shorter than the night.

Taxonomy

Euphorbia pulcherrima (Willd. Ex Klotzsch)

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Subkingdom: Viridiplantae
• Underkingdom: Streptophyta
• Superdivision: Embryophyta
• Division: Tracheophyta
• Subdivision: Spermatophytina
• Class: Magnoliopsida
• Subclass: Rosidae
• Superorder: Rosanae
• Order: Malpighiales
• Family: Euphorbiaceae
• Genus: Euphorbia
• Species: Euphorbia pulcherrima ex Klotzsch

Varieties

The varieties are classified according to the coloration of the bracts and the time required for flower induction. Adaptation to changes in temperature is another variable taken into account, as well as the number of branches and bracts.

At present the main varieties of Euphorbia pulcherrima belong to the Annete Hegg group. Among which are: “Diva” (red), “Brilliant Diamond” (red), “Lady” (red), “Winterstar” (red), “Femina” (pink), “Marble” (bicolor) and “ TopWhite ”(white).

Christmas flower varieties. Source: viverosalmeria.com

Another group of high commercial value belong to the Gutbier type. These include: "Annemie" (red), "White" (white), "Pink" (pink), "Angelika" (red) and "Regina" (white).

Recently, the varieties that are commercialized in the highest proportion worldwide are Cortez, Sonora, Freedom, Peterstar, Millenium and Galactica. As well as Red Diamond, Da Vinci, Silverstar and Lemon Snow, most with a variety of colorations.

Distribution and habitat

The Christmas flower (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is native to Mexico and Guatemala. In fact, it is located in tropical, temperate, semi-dry, warm and semi-warm climates, in a range of 0-2,600 meters above sea level.

In this respect, it is a wild plant linked to deciduous and evergreen tropical forests, xerophilous vegetation and mountain mesophilic forests. At the domestic level, it adapts to cultivation in nurseries where it has expressed the maximum potential for development and genetic variability.

Euphorbia pulcherrima adult plant. Source: Pisecbesedil, from Wikimedia Commons

It is a crop determined by the photoperiod, since it depends on short days and long nights to promote the coloration of the bracts. In addition, it demands constant lighting to avoid discoloration and defoliation of the leaves.

It is a species of tropical climates, susceptible to cold or heat, adapted to average daytime temperatures of 20-22º C. At night it requires temperatures between 16-18º C.

There are species adapted to warm conditions up to 40º C, however, at a general level they are susceptible to sudden variations in temperature. On the other hand, it requires abundant environmental humidity, being very sensitive to excess humidity in the substrate.

Spread

The commercial multiplication of Euphorbia pulcherrima is carried out vegetatively, through cuttings of 6-8 cm in length. The mother plants used to obtain the productive cuttings are sown in mid-May.

During the propagation of mother plants, it is recommended to apply 200 ppm / plant of a balanced 2: 1: 2 formula. In this fertilization it is important that the nitrogen source is of ammonia origin, to promote a greater development of the foliage.

Christmas flower nursery cultivation. Source: flickr.com

Similarly, it is customary to apply growth regulating substances, such as auxins or gibberellins, in order to obtain plants with a greater number of shoots, and firm and resistant cuttings.

At the beginning of August, two pinchings are made every 20-25 days, in order to stimulate the development of lateral branches. In fact, when the first flowering ends and these flowers are cut, the plant produces buds again.

These shoots, once developed effectively, will be used for the multiplication process of the Christmas flowers. These cuttings are placed in pots with a porous substrate made up of a mixture of peat, sand and organic material.

In the propagation of the cuttings, the use of rooting phytohormones, such as IBA (idolbutyric acid) or ANA (naphthaleneacetic acid), is favorable. Likewise, it is recommended the application of a fungicide that prevents the formation of a pathogen in the propagation material.

Once the multiplication process has been established, it is necessary to maintain an average temperature of 23-25º C, abundant lighting, with constant mist and irrigation. Preserving these environmental conditions, after approximately 15 days the rooting and production of the new commercial seedlings begins.

Crop conditions

Containers

Commercially, various types of containers are used, the most common being 12-25 cm where 1-3 cuttings develop well. An average commercial plant has 5-12 branched foliage.

Growth regulators

The use of growth regulators can be used to promote rooting or to regulate the size of the plant. Commercial products such as Paclobutrazol ®, Ancymidol ®, Daminozide 85% ® and Clormequat 40% ® are commonly used.

The application of these regulators is carried out by foliar way to control the growth and development process of the plant. The first applications are made when the new shoots are 4-5 cm long, repeating the application every 15 days.

Irrigation

Irrigation must be continuous once the rooting process has started. At the time of sowing the cutting, irrigation must be accompanied by a fungicide to avoid some type of contamination by soil pathogens.

Fertilization

This crop requires constant fertilization from the transplanting of the cuttings to the sale of the final product. The goal of the continuous fertilization process is to maintain flower quality as well as strong plants with bright, colorful bracts.

Applications at a rate of 150 ppm per pots of a balanced formula of macro and micronutrients, with a higher percentage of nitrogen. The use of slow release fertilizers is adequate, avoiding foliar applications that may affect the quality of the bracts.

Pinching

It is a technique used in floriculture that by eliminating terminal shoots stimulates the development of lateral boats. In the culture of E. pulcherrima by means of clamping, it is possible to obtain a greater number of stems with bracts.

Environmental conditions

Substratum

The material used as a substrate must be loose and with a high degree of porosity. The ideal substrate is made up of equal parts of peat, sand and earth, with an average pH of 5.5.

Good results have been obtained using pine bark, coconut bark or coffee processing wastes, replacing soil. Nowadays, substrates based on sphagnum peat or rock wool cubes are commercialized, which have reported excellent results.

Temperature

It is advisable to maintain a constant temperature during the day of 22-25º C, and during the night of 16-18º C. Temperature conditions lower than 10º C should be avoided. However, prior to the marketing process, temperatures of 17º C promote an intense coloration to the bracts.

Humidity

Throughout the process it is advisable to keep the environment humid, with constant nebulisations and effective irrigation. Dry environments promote the fall of leaves and bracts, deteriorating the quality of the crop.

illumination

E. pulcherrima is a short-day plant, so it requires less than 12 hours of light per day. This type of cultivation after 30-40 days under these conditions starts the flowering process.

In this regard, the flowering of the Christmas flower depends on the hours of light that the crop receives during its development cycle. Plants acclimated to certain environmental conditions can withstand different levels of light, however, the recommended is 30,000-40,000 lux.

Pests

White fly

The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci or Trialeurodes vaporariorum, are pests that occur when temperature conditions exceed 25º C. The main damage occurs on the leaves as wilting and yellowish spots.

Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci). Source: flickr.com

The prevention of the incidence of this pest is achieved by placing yellow chromotropic traps or biological control. In the event of a severe attack, chemical control is the best way to eliminate this insect.

Trips

The Frankliniella occidentalis species causes damage at the level of the leaves, there are typical whitish spots of grayish color. Biological control with Amblyseius swirskii, which is also a whitefly controller, is recommended.

Aphids

Located on the underside of the leaves, they cause yellowish spots, curling and deformation of the leaves. In addition, they secrete sugary substances that attract other insects, so chemical control is recommended in case of severe attacks.

Mealybugs

The activity is manifested as reddish spots on the underside of the leaves, they also secrete sugary substances that attract other insects. The control is carried out through the controlled application of a systemic insecticide, avoiding staining the bracts.

Diseases

Root rot

The causative agent of this disease is the pathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani. The main symptoms are stem and root rot in dry conditions and high temperatures.

Root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani. Source: flickr.com

Black root rot

The fungus Thielaviopsis basicola is located in the soil and damages the root system, which influences the total wilting of the plant. The prevention is carried out with the disinfection of the substrate, or in severe attacks the chemical control.

Stem rot

Stem level disease caused by Pythium ultimum. The contamination begins at the substrate level and spreads through the stem causing the destruction of the tissues.

Gray mold or gray rot

It appears as sporulating and hairy spots of gray color on the upper part of the leaves caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea. The control is carried out by eliminating the contaminated tissue, avoiding excess humidity and in extreme cases chemical fungicides are applied.

Blanquilla or ash

Disease caused by Oidium sp., Present in dry environments and manifests as white spots on the surface of the leaves. Ventilation of the culture is recommended, since this fungus can deform and necrotize the leaf tissues.

Root rot by bacteria

Bacteria are microorganisms that can affect the spread of Christmas flowers. Species like Erwinia sp. and Corynebacterium sp. are common in this crop.

As a preventive measure, the disinfection of the substrate and the work material is recommended, in case of incidence it is advisable to remove the affected plants.

Medicinal properties

Euphorbia pulcherrima is traditionally used medicinally for skin infections, female complaints and inflammatory processes. Latex is used to relieve wounds, skin abscesses, warts, sores, erysipelas, and skin inflammations.

The decoctions or poultices of the bracts are used to promote the secretion of milk in the lactation stage. Also, external applications prevent vaginal bleeding, inflammation of the womb, problems in the placenta and abortive events.

Toxicity

The latex that is released when cutting stems, leaves, or bracts can cause harmful effects in some people. Irritations occur on the skin, and the lips and eyes can cause severe inflammation, leading to momentary blindness.

Euphorbia latex. Source: Plantasyhongos.es

At the time of cutting the cuttings, the plant gives off a latex that can be allergic to the operator. It is recommended to immerse the end of the cut in hot water, to avoid any contact.

References

1. Carrera R. Julián et al. (2006) Production of Nochebuena Euphorbia pulcherrima ex. Klotzsch. in Morelos. National Institute of Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock Research. Mexico.
2. Cortes Vivar Rodrigo Ariel (2007) The cultivation of poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) a production alternative in the Ocotito Valley, Guerrero State, Mexico (Graduate Thesis) "Antonio Narro" Autonomous University.
3. The cultivation of the Easter Flower (2016) © Copyright Infoagro Systems, SL Recovered in: infoagro.com
4. Euphorbia pulcherrima, Poinsettia (2018) Flowers and Plants. Recovered in: floresyplantas.net
5. Rivera Diana (2006) Easter: care, varieties, pest management. Agricultural Extension Service. Recovered at: academic.uprm.edu
6. Torres Ariana P. and López Roberto G. (2010) Commercial greenhouse flower production. Propagation of Poinsettias (poinsettias). University Purdue.
7. Vargas Araujo, Jesús, Andrade-Rodríguez, María, Villegas-Torres, Óscar Gabriel, Castillo-Gutiérrez, Antonio, Colinas-León, María Teresa, Avitia-García, Edilberto, & Alia-Tejacal, Iran. (2017). Reproductive characteristics of nine varieties of poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima, Willd. Ex Klotzch). Mexican Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 8 (2), 295-306.