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First, you may be wondering: Where did the poinsettia originate from? The poinsettia flower is native to Central America – specifically, an area in southern Mexico called “Taxco del Alarcon” – and the plants were used by the ancient Aztecs to make a purple dye for clothing and cosmetics.
What is the origin of poinsettia?
Joel Roberts Poinsett introduced the poinsettia plant to the United States from Mexico. Poinsett was a botanist, physician and the first United States Ambassador to Mexico. In Mexico the poinsettia is a perennial shrub that will grow 10-15 feet tall. There are more than 100 varieties of poinsettias available today.
What country did poinsettias originate in?
The red leafy plant blooms in December and has a rich history with the holiday season. The poinsettia is native to Southern Mexico and has been used in religious ceremonies for centuries. In 1828, the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Doctor Joel Poinsett, sent a clipping of the plant back to home in South Carolina.
What country started the tradition of poinsettias and in what year?
Early Poinsettia Flower History So how did poinsettias and Christmas become intertwined? The poinsettia was first associated with Christmas in southern Mexico in the 1600s, when Franciscan priests used the colorful leaves and bracts to adorn extravagant nativity scenes.
What does a poinsettia symbolize?
We consider them a Christmas flower, and many people give them around Christmas time to symbolise good will and community spirit. In religious communities, the shape of the poinsettia flower is thought to symbolise the Star of Bethlehem, with the red leaves of the poinsettia symbolising the blood of Christ.
Do poinsettias have a spiritual meaning?
While considered by the ancient Aztecs to be symbols of purity, in today’s language of flowers, red, white or pink poinsettias, the December birth flower, symbolize good cheer and success and are said to bring wishes of mirth and celebration.
Was the poinsettia stolen from Mexico?
The plant is known as Cuetlaxochitl (ket-la-sho-she) and was another stolen item from Mexican history and had its history white-washed in a gross way, which is evident in who the plant was renamed after in America, the horrendous Indian-hater Joel Roberts Poinsett, the former US ambassador to Mexico who was kicked out,.
Are poinsettias native to Hawaii?
The Hawaiian word for the poinsettia plant is Pua Kalikimaka, litterally meaning, “Christmas flower.” Its common name is Zach Wood or noche buena, revealing its indigenous Mexico and Central American origins. It was brought to Hawaii not long after.
Who brought the first poinsettia to America?
Joel Roberts Poinsett was a man of many talents. He was not only the first person to introduce the poinsettia to the United States, but he was the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, and was also a skilled and passionate botanist who co-founded the institution that we now call the Smithsonian Institute.
What year was the first poinsettia brought to the United States?
Poinsettias were first introduced into the United States in 1825 by Joel Robert Poinsett. While serving as the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, he had occasion to visit Taxco and found the plants growing on adjacent hillsides.
When did poinsettias originate?
The Aztecs were the first to cultivate poinsettias. Cultivation in the US began when diplomat Joel Roberts Poinsett sent some of the plants back to his greenhouses in South Carolina in the 1820s.
What is the poinsettia known as in Mexico?
Poinsettias, originally known as “flores de nochebuena” or “Christmas Eve flowers,” are red, although farmers nowadays can grow yellow and pink varieties. Mexicans call it “flor de nochebuena” or “Christmas Eve flower.” Attracted by its seasonal beauty, ambassador Poinsett brought it to the United States.
What flower means death?
Chrysanthemum: In America, this gorgeous flower has many meanings, but it is often used as an expression of support or an encouragement to “get well soon.” In many countries in Europe, the chrysanthemum is placed on graves and viewed as a symbol of death.
What is the life expectancy of a poinsettia plant?
“Home gardeners generally keep their poinsettias one or two years. If they’re really dedicated, maybe a little longer. But the life span for interior plants when you live in the North is measured in months, not years.”.
Are poinsettias weeds?
Wild Poinsettia / Desert Poinsettia (Euphorbia heterophylla var. Both plants are members of the euphorbia family. This plant is sometimes grown for the colorful green and orange bracts, but it is considered a weed.
What do poinsettias smell like?
The olfactive profile of the Poinsettia Flower is a pine-like terpenic scent, frequently with a mushroom note, as they are prone to a fungus.
Are poinsettias poisonous to humans?
The poinsettia plant is often considered deadly. Poinsettia can be irritating but it is not fatal if eaten. If children and pets eat it, they can develop a mouth rash and stomach upset. The sap can cause a skin rash, too.
Do poinsettias flower?
Poinsettia flowers are actually made up of the bracts, which look like petals, and the tiny yellow flowers in the center, called cyathia. The colorful bracts attract insects to the flowers and will drop after pollination. Poinsettias are not harmful to animal or human health. But they should not be eaten.
How did the Aztecs use the poinsettias?
The Aztecs called poinsettias “Cuetlaxochitl.” During the 14th – 16th century the sap was used to control fevers and the bracts (modified leaves) were used to make a reddish dye. Dazzled by its color, he gave it the botanical name, Euphorbia pulcherrima meaning “very beautiful.”.
