With its bright crimson and deep green foliage, it’s no wonder the poinsettia is considered a symbol of the Christmas season. The plant which has a long, rich history in its native Mexico and the US, has become increasingly more popular in Australia, appearing in numerous stores including Bunnings leading up to the holidays.
But while most would think they’re fine to just pop in the garden after packing away the festive decorations, experts are urging people to put down the shovel.
While poinsettias are not currently considered to be a “significant weed”, they can overwhelm a backyard if planted outdoors Botanic Gardens of Sydney’s Chief Scientist, Professor Brett Summerell, told Yahoo News.
“Poinsettia can get quite large, lose the colourful foliage and is not really that attractive,” he said. “After the colour has faded in the potted plants it is best to cut it up and compost it. Just wear clothes when doing this so the milky sap doesn’t come into contact with your skin.”
Invasive Species Council’s Principal Policy Analyst, Dr Carol Booth, told Yahoo that while the plant is not considered to be an issue now, there is “reason to suspect it could be a problem in the future”.
Poinsettias have a slightly toxic sap that is known to irritate the skin. Source: Getty
Poinsettia’s ‘pretty nasty’ sap can cause irritation
Poinsettias (euphorbia pulcherrima) not only have a chequered history due to their namesake, a slaveowner and lawmaker, but the species also has a “pretty nasty”, slightly toxic sap Summerell explained.
“The milky sap of all euphorbia species has irritant properties — the level of irritation varies between species. It can be caustic and corrosive and cause blisters, swelling or general irritation. They don’t appear to be a general poison when ingested though.”
According to Queensland Poisons Information Centre, ingesting the sap in large quantities may cause diarrhoea and vomiting and temporary blindness if it comes into contact with your eye.
However, painted spurge, otherwise known as dwarf poinsettia, is more problematic and corrosive than true poinsettia, which is “generally only a problem on sensitive skin, particularly in young children and is not likely to cause problems on adult skin,” Summerell said.
The plant — the cultivation of which dates back to the Aztec empire 500 years ago — can also be harmful to pets, vets have warned.
Painted spurge, otherwise known as dwarf poinsettia, is regarded to be an environmental weed in Queensland and NSW. Source: Sheldon Navie/Brisbane City Council
Dwarf poinsettia deemed a weed in Queensland and NSW
Painted spurge is regarded to be an environmental weed in Queensland and NSW and prefers sandy soils and disturbed sites. “Painted spurge is quite invasive and over competes plants in bushland and produces lots of offspring that spread easily,” Summerell told Yahoo.
“It is of most concern as a weed of hind-dune areas on beaches and is also relatively common in coastal and sub-coastal riparian zones,” the Brisbane City Council states online.
According to community organisation Save Our Waterways Now, poinsettias have become naturalised in some areas of the city.
In Western Australia it is an occasional weed in the north, but has been recorded in suburban Perth and offshore islands
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