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Poinsettias
 | Poinsettias are native to Mexico and are named after America's first ambassador to Mexico, Joel Poinsett. He brought the plant to the U.S. in 1828 where it was renamed in his honor.
The plant is a member of the purge family and has small yellow flowers surrounded by large, tapering red leaves. The large leaves look like petals and are often mistaken as the flower. |
The first association between the poinsettia and Christmas was in the 1700's. The people in Mexico called it the "flower of the blessed night" because it resembled the Star of Bethlehem. The red color also goes with Christmas.
Once the plant was brought to the U.S., it was quickly adopted as the Christmas flower.
How to Take Care of a Poinsettia
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