Poinsettia’s mistaken identity

The colored bracts or leaf-like structures of poinsettia are usually mistaken for flower petals, but are actually leaves that are most often red in color

As September ushers the entry of “BER” months, the poinsettia, which is commonly referred to as the Christmas Flower, starts to bloom.

The colored bracts or leaf-like structures of poinsettia are usually mistaken for flower petals, but are actually leaves that are most often red in color, making it ideal for Christmas decorations.

The colors of the bracts are created through photoperiodism that require darkness to change color, however, poinsettia also requires abundant but controlled light during the day to attain its brightest shade.

In botanical terms, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis or cone scale.

In an interview, plant enthusiast and commercial grower Francis Gener told the Daily Tribune that there are more than 100 cultivated varieties of poinsettia available around the world, only few varieties, however, are available in the Philippines.

Prompting Gener to only cultivate the five commercially-viable varieties, like Prestige Red, Prestige White, Prestige Pink, Ice Punch and Glitters, which he says are sought by commercial establishments for their Yuletide decorations.

Locally, the preferred variety is Prestige Red due to its bright color, making it attractive as a Christmas décor, but the other varieties started to gain popularity among commercial growers as well.

With proper care, Gener says poinsettia can maintain the color of its leaves even until the month of March, but will depend on the condition of the environment and how it will be nourished.

Before the pandemic, advance orders for the different varieties of poinsettia start to surge as early as September.

But with the current trend, Gener says he and the other commercial growers are keeping their fingers crossed, hoping for the demand to increase as the Christmas season starts.

PHOTOGRAPH BYJUN YAP FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE THE colored bracts or leaf-like structures of poinsettia are commonly mistaken for flower petals, but are actually leaves. There are more than 100 cultivated varieties of poinsettia, but only few varieties are available in the Philippines, such as Prestige Red, Prestige White, Prestige Pink, Ice Punch and Glitters.