History of the Poinsettia
The plant known today as the poinsettia has long flourished in an area of southern
Mexico known as Taxco del Alarcon. Historically the indigenous Aztecs, who
called this plant ‘cuetlaxochitl’ used this plant for decorative purposes. They also
extracted a purple colored die to use in textiles and in cosmetics. In addition, a
white sap that may be extracted from the plant was used to treat fevers. The
poinsettia may have remained a regional plant except for the actions of Joel
Roberts Poinsett.
Poinsett was born in 1779 in Charleston, South Carolina. In 1825 he was appointed
as the first United States ambassador to Mexico. He had a special interest in botany
and maintained his own hot houses in South Carolina. In 1828 he visited the Taxco
Area of Mexico and fell in love with the brilliant red flowers he saw there. Poinsett
sent the plants to friends throughout the United States and by the 1830s it was
known by the name of poinsettia. Originally sold as a cut plant, by the early 1900s
they were sold as potted plants during the Christmas season. Congress later
honored Poinsett by naming December 12 as National Poinsettia Day as it
commemorates his death in 1851.
There is also a famous Mexican legend based around the poinsettia plant. Many
years ago a young girl by the name of Pepita had no gift to present to the Christ
child at the Christmas Eve service. As she was poor she simply gathered a handful
of common weeds to present at church. Her cousin Pedro who accompanied her
said that even the most humble gift if given in love would be acceptable to Jesus.
She entered the church and laid the bouquet at the foot of the nativity scene and
suddenly the bouquet of weeds burst into blooms of brilliant red flowers. Everyone
who witnessed it believed it to be a Christmas miracle. From that night on the
poinsettia s became known as Flor de Nochebuena or Flower of Christmas Eve in
Spanish as they bloom each year during the Christmas season. Red and green are
also the official colors of Christmas and the shape of the poinsettia leaves are also
thought of as a symbol for the Star of Bethlehem.
_________________________________________________________________________
©2019 N.Schmidt
The History of the Poinsettia
Name:
1. Where was the poinsettia plant originally found?
Southern Mexico known as Taxco del Alarcon.
2. What was the name given to it by the Aztecs?
‘cuetlaxochitl’
3. What did the Aztecs use this plant for?
They used it for decorative purposes. They also extracted a purple colored die to
use in textiles and in cosmetics. In addition, a white sap that may be extracted from
the plant was used to treat fevers.
4. Who was Joel Poinsett?
In 1825 he was appointed as the first United States ambassador to Mexico.
5. Where was and when was he born?
Poinsett was born in 1779 in Charleston, South Carolina.
6. In what year did he discover the Poinsettia?
1828
7. When is National Poinsettia Day celebrated?
December 12
8. Why did Pepita pick weeds?
Pepita had no gift to present to the Christ child at the Christmas Eve service. As
she was poor, she simply gathered a handful of common weeds to present at
church.
9. What are poinsettias called in Spanish?
Flor de Nochebuena
_________________________________________________________________________
©2019 N.Schmidt