Question 1: Which plant are we celebrating today?
- Poinsettia
- Azalea
- Begonia
Correct Answer: Poinsettia
Fact: The poinsettia is a perennial shrub that’s used as an ornamental during the holidays. Although red is the most well-known variety, this plant can also be found in other colors, including white, yellow, and pink. It thrives in bright, indirect sunlight and needs careful watering. Poinsettias are often wrongly labeled as toxic to pets, but they’re mostly harmless.
Question 2: The bracts of the poinsettia are often mistaken for what?
- Stigma
- Petals
- Sepal
Correct Answer: Petals
Fact: Bracts are specialized leaves that differ in shape, texture, or color from regular leaves. In the poinsettia seen in today’s image, they’re the bright red, leaf-like structures that surround the small, yellow true flowers, which are at the center. Bracts are also seen in other flowers, including the flamingo flower, the lesser bougainvillea, and several species of dogwood.
Question 3: Which red-berried plant is also considered a classic symbol of Christmas?
- Winterberry
- Butcher’s broom
- Holly
Correct Answer: Holly
Fact: European holly, also called English holly, is known for its glossy green leaves and bright red berries. A beloved Christmas decoration, it’s used in holiday wreaths and garlands, and it’s a popular motif in Christmas cards. However, along the West Coast of the US and Canada, non-native English holly is considered noxious. This invasive species is spreading fast, invading forests and pushing out native plants.