Poinsettia: A Christmas Tale
Once upon a time during a Christmas Eve service, there was a little girl who was sad realizing she had no gift for the baby Jesus. After being advised by her cousin that a simple and small thing would be enough, she picked some wildflowers and ran to the church to offer them. When she reached the altar, the plant she placed on it suddenly turned into bright red blooms. So goes the Mexican folktale about Flores De Noche Buena or Flowers of the Holy Night- poinsettia!
Poinsettia was discovered in Mexico and popularized outside the country by Joel Roberts Poinsett, a botany lover, and first US Ambassador to Mexico appointed by President Madison. After discovering it, Poinsett sent them to his friend and fellow botanist Robert Buist who grew them in his garden and later sold them by the name “Euphorbia pulcherrima” which means beautiful.
This plant came to be known as the Christmas flower because it grows for a very short period of time during the Christmas season. Poinsettia flowers, though always being referred to as “flowers”, are actually modified leaves.
But do you know what’s more surprising about this plant? For one, its dye was used by the Aztecs in cosmetics. For another, it was used by these people in the ancient time to cure fever!
Later on in history, poinsettia became a classical decoration for Christmas, symbolizing love and hope. More so, who can decorate the house for the season without it? Having it everywhere in sight these days heightens the ambience of Christmas.
We at Flowers and Greens can’t wait for the Day! How about you?
