What should I look for when buying a poinsettia?

Question: 

What should I look for when buying a poinsettia?

Answer: 

Poinsettias are available in a wide range of colors.  Red is the most popular color.  However, poinsettias are also available in burgundy, pink, salmon, white, cream, and gold.  There are also bicolored, marbled, and speckled poinsettias.  The colorful part of the poinsettia, commonly referred to as the plant’s flowers, are actually modified leaves or bracts.  The true flowers are yellow to green, button-like objects located in the center of the bracts. 

When selecting a poinsettia, choose a well-shaped plant with dark green foliage and well-colored bracts.  The true flowers should be shedding little or no pollen.  Avoid poinsettias with wilted foliage, broken stems, or few leaves. 
 

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