Poinsettias Make it on Public Radio

Chris Beytes

Jim Faust, associate professor of floriculture at Clemson University, is noted for his poinsettia explorations in Mexico, the home of the plant. And he’s writing a book on the topic. That knowledge got him a spot on public radio this past Christmas Day, in a taped piece for the program Science Friday titled, “Stalking the Wilds of Mexico for a Christmas Classic.”

Jim told host Ira Flatow about the history of poinsettias from Joel Poinsett forward, gave the lowdown on bracts vs. flowers, debunked the myth that poinsettias are poisonous, and described his recent trip into the drug cartel-controlled mountains of Mexico to search for wild specimens.

Listen to the 12-minute broadcast at www.sciencefriday.com. GT