Euphorbia pulcherrima, meaning "very beautiful," is the botanical name of the poinsettia. The subtropical plant has many other common names including the Christmas flower, Mexican fire plant, lobster plant and Noche Buena. The poinsettia has a rich history dating back to the 14th century, but now its festive leaves are most commonly used for Christmas decoration.
Description
The poinsettia is a small shrub, typically reaching a height between 2 and 10 feet. It bears dark green dentate (toothed) leaves and colored bracts--which are most often bright red but may also be pink, cream, pale green or marbled. The colored bracts, often mistaken to be the flower of the poinsettia, are modified leaves that surround the flower. The flowers, called the cyathia, are the small, greenish-yellow buds in the center of the bracts.
Origins
Poinsettias are native to Mexico and South America, where it grows in tropical forests at low altitudes. Cultivation of the poinsettia dates back to the 14th century, when the Aztecs would use its sap for medicinal purposes and its bracts to make red dye. The reddish dye was beneficial for their cloth-making industry. The last Aztec ruler, Montezuma, would have the valuable plant, which they called cuetlaxochitl, brought to him in caravans, because they could not grow at the high altitude that they inhabited.
Introduction to America
The poinsettia was first introduced to the United States in 1825 by Joel Roberts Poinsett. Poinsett was the first United States ambassador to Mexico and a remarkable amateur botanist. During his endeavors in Mexico, he became entranced with the beauty of the plant and brought one back to South Carolina. During the 1830s, popularity of the plant spread throughout the United States. During that time, it was known by the names Mexican fire plant or painted leaf. After the death of Poinsett in 1851, the plant was renamed poinsettia in his honor. In the United States, Dec. 12 represents National Poinsettia Day.
Christmas Legends
The legend of the poinsettia arises from the 16th century, back to a Christmas Eve in Mexico. The legend tells the story of a little girl who was too poor and did not have a gift to present to Christ. Encouraged to give a humble gift; she gathered some weeds from the side of the road. As she arrived at church and approached the altar, a Christmas miracle occurred; the weeds bloomed into beautiful red and green flowers. The flowers were then given the name Flores de Noche Buena, meaning "flowers of the holy night."
Other associations tie the poinsettia to Christmas. It is said that Franciscan friars in Mexico began using poinsettias as part of their Christmas celebrations during the 17th century. It is also believed by many that the star-shaped leaf pattern on the plant symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem, and the deep red colors of the leaves represent the blood of Christ.
Poinsettias Today
Aside from the Christmas tree, the poinsettia has become one of the most popular Christmas plants. Millions of plants are sold each year during the holiday season. Poinsettias are now commercially grown in greenhouses around the county. California is the top producing state of poinsettias, with more than 80 percent of the plants being grown there.
