Special Trees and Plants are Part of the Christmas Tradition (2/2)

One of the most popular plants at Christmas is the poinsettia. These plants are valued for their colorful bracts, which look like leaves. Most poinsettias are bright red. But they also can be white or pink. Poinsettias are native to Mexico.

They are named after America's first ambassador to Mexico, Joel Poinsett. He liked the plant and sent some back to the United States. Many people believe that poinsettias are poisonous. But researchers say this is not true. They say the milky liquid in the plant's stem can cause a person's skin to become red. If children or animals eat the leaves they may become sick, but they will not die.

Two thick, sticky substances from trees have been part of Christmas from the beginning. They are frankincense and myrrh. Both have powerful, pleasant smells. Tradition says three wise men carried them as gifts to the Christ child in Bethlehem.

Finally, there are several herbs used in Christmas foods, drinks and decorations. One is sage. Its leaves are cooked with turkey or goose. And sweet-smelling rosemary plants are hung on doors or cut to look like little Christmas trees.

参考译文：

圣诞中最流行的植物之一就是圣诞红。这种植物因其彩色苞片而有价值，这些苞片看起来像叶片。多数圣诞红是鲜红色的，但也有粉色和白色的。圣诞红原产于墨西哥。

它们是以美国首任驻墨西哥大使Joel Poinsett的名字命名的。他喜欢这种植物并运回一些到美国。许多人认为圣诞红是有毒的。但是，研究者说那不是事实。他们说植物茎部的奶状液体可以导致人们的皮肤变红。如果孩子或动物食入了叶片会感觉不舒服，但是不会导致死亡。

来自树木的两种浓稠的粘性物质从开始就是圣诞的一部分。他们是乳香和没药，都具有浓郁的气味。传说三位智者把它们作为礼物送给了在伯利恒的耶稣的孩子基督。

最后，一些香草会被用在圣诞的食物、饮品以及装饰物中。其中之一就是鼠尾草。它的叶子被用来烹制火鸡和鹅。芳香的迷迭香被挂在门上或者修剪成小圣诞树的形状。