Christmas Poinsettia

Poinsettias have been associated with Christmas since a long time. They are found in a wide array of colors, like red, burgundy, pink, white, yellow, peach and lilac. Apart from that, you will also find marbled and spotted poinsettias. Amongst all these, it is the deep red poinsettia that is regarded as the Christmas flower and also known as 'Flower of the Holy Night'. Since floral decoration is an inevitable part of Christmas, poinsettia is extensively used to decorate the house, to make beautiful centerpieces and in attractive bouquets for Christmas weddings.

Mexican Poinsettia is named after Joes Roberts Poinsett, USA's first ambassador to Mexico, who served his term from 1825-1829. He was the one who discovered a shrub, with vibrant red-colored leaves, growing by the roadside in Mexico, in 1828. Enchanted by the beauty of the plant, Joes sent few cuttings of the plant to his home and then soon introduced the plant to North America. Since then, the plant came to be known as Poinsettia. Joel Poinsett died on 12th December 1851. To honor him as well as the plant, National Poinsettia Day came to be celebrated in the United States, on 12th December every year.

Facts About Christmas Poinsettia