Poisonous to animals?

by Kim
(Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada)

I heard that the plant can be poisonous to cats, if they should even eat one leaf. Is this true?

Doug says that poinsettia are NOT poisonous. They have a milky sap that (if you ate several bushels of leaves) might give you an upset stomach.

But unless your cats (and kids) are in the habit of chowing down on acres of these plants, you're good.

This is one of the those great garden myths out there.