White Poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima ‘Alba’

FAMILY:
Euphorbiaceae

ORIGIN:
Central America

DESCRIPTION:
Erect to spreading shrub usually sparsely branched with ovate to lance-shaped, mid – dark green leaves to 6″ long; in winter it bears dense terminal cymes of green cyathia ringed by large leaf-like bright white bracts

CULTIVATION:
Water lightly; fertilize with a low nitrogen fertilizer monthly; full light in winter; semi-shade in summer; protect from drafts and heat vents; photoperiodic requiring 12 hrs. of darkness for about 8 weeks to initiate bloom

PROPAGATION:
Stem cuttings; divide

COMMENTS:
One story of the species’ association with Christmas began in the 16th century when a little girl was too poor to provide a gift for Jesus’ birthday when an angel guided her to pick roadside weeds to display in front of the altar – resulting in a beautiful bouquet of red flowers

Click here to go back to the Conservatory Plants Main Page >