For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. (F) The Ecke family's business, now led by Paul Ecke III, decided to stop producing plants in the US, but as of 2008, they still served about 70 percent of the domestic market and 50 percent of the worldwide market. Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, the poinsettia was first described by Europeans in 1834. Everyone watching was convinced they had seen a miracle. It is native to Mexico and Central America with a few very interesting meanings and symbolism. It was named for Joel R. Poinsett, who popularized the plant and introduced it to floriculture while he was U.S. minister to Mexico in the late 1820s. [9] 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. The Aztecs had many uses for them including using the flowers (actually special types of bright leaves known as bracts rather than flowers) to make a purple dye for clothes & cosmetics The milky white sap, latex, was made into a medicine to treat fevers. Then touch the surface of the soil. National Poinsettia Day on December 12 also forms a cultural bridge between the U.S. and Mexico. In Mexico, the poinsettia is called "flores de nochebuena," which translates as flowers of the Holy Night. Here are some more poinsettia facts for you to enjoy! How did a tropical plant become an unlikely symbol of the Christmas holiday? At this early stage, the appropriate scientific name for the poinsettia was still in doubt. and it doesnt say anywhere that poinsetas are dangerious to animals, In reply to poinsetas by robert phillips (not verified). It was almost certainly seen by early European explorers and colonists, but somehow never entered cultivation in Europe. Specific details about its spread from there are largely unverifiable, but it was exhibited at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's 1829 Philadelphia Flower Show by Colonel Robert Carr. According to Mexican lore, there was a young child,Pepita, who did not have a gift for the baby Jesus at a Christmas Eve service. Easter lilies and dogwood trees are linked to the resurrection of Jesus Christ and because of this, they are two of the symbols of Easter. [14], The tropical dry forests where wild poinsettias grow experience largely unregulated deforestation, resulting in habitat loss. Gently firm the soil around the plant and water well. They are a small shrub, but over time have been trained to grow as the potted plants we so often see during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Here are five things you should know about Central America. poinsettia, ( Euphorbia pulcherrima ), well-known member of the spurge family ( Euphorbiaceae ), commonly sold as an ornamental at Christmastime. [4] A survey of more than 20,000 calls to the American Association of Poison Control Centers from 19851992 related to poinsettia exposure showed no fatalities. Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, the poinsettia was first described by Europeans in 1834. Now that you know the poinsettia isnt actually a flower, its interesting to think that poinsettias are one of the flowers that represent this month! [11][12] The colors of the bracts are created through photoperiodism, meaning that they require darkness (at least fourteen hours at a time for 68 weeks in a row) to change color. Poinsettia is the plant's common name. To get off to a good start, protect your new plant from cold temperatures and chilling winds on the way home from the store. Poinsettias are a traditional Christmas plant, so learn how to take care of them and all about theirhistory. Theyre featured on Christmas cards, painted on ornaments, displayed on dinner tables, and found adorning front porches along with other festive decorations. It derives its common English name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States minister to Mexico, who is credited with introducing the plant to the US in the 1820s. 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. poinsettia cuetlaxochitl The Aztecs called poinsettia cuetlaxochitl (brilliant flower) and the Mayans referred to it as k'alul wits (ember flower). [16][17] Triterpenes are found in aerial part of this plant including latex and leaves. . Lets celebrate this beautiful plant by learning facts about poinsettias, and discovering more about the history, origin and symbolism and meaning of the poinsettia. Feb. 16, 2023, Publication date: Check out this post to learn how to grow poinsettias indoors for the holidays and beyond. Check out our Christmas quotes video on YouTube. Look up! [23] Contact with any part of the plant by children or pets often has no effect, though it may cause nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting if swallowed. When it flowered again in 1836 it was drawn for Curtiss Botanical Magazine. She was poor, and had no gift to give him. David Trinklein 573/882-9631. Just be sure that cold temperatures in your area don't drop below 45 degrees . In the United States, California produces the most Poinsettias followed by North Carolina in second place, and then by Texas in third place. It has been hypothesized that the inaccessibility of the canyons may protect the wild populations from human disturbance. Exposure to the plant, even consumption, most often results in no effect,[5] though it can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.[4]. Scientifically, the Poinsettia is known as Euphorbia pulcherrima meaning the most beautiful. They also used the poinsettias' milky white sap wax to create a medicine to treat fevers. Poinsettias are native to Mexico and Central America where they grow into 10-foot-tall shrubs. After creating these displays, he urged that James Smithsons money be spent to create a national museum. An amateur botanist, Poinsett saw the red flowers when visiting the Mexican town of Taxco in the state of Guerrero, shortly before he was thrown out of the country for trying to buy Texas from the Mexicans for a million dollars! Which country gave the US its first poinsettia plant? Calling Southwest students: paidinternshipsavailable with the river, the farm, and the trees. Fungal diseases affecting greenhouse poinsettia operations include Pythium root rot, Rhizoctonia root and stem rot, black root rot, scab, powdery mildew, and Botrytis blight. [32] In the US, December 12 is National Poinsettia Day, marking the anniversary of Joel Roberts Poinsett's death. Each year millions of live potted plants are cultivated and shipped across much of the world for a six-week Christmas season, only to be thrown away in January. There is religious symbolism in the poinsettia flower the star shape represents the Star of Bethlehem, the red leaves represent the blood of Christ, and white leaves represent the purity of Christ. Want to learn more about this beautiful plant? [33][34], The Aztecs were the first to cultivate poinsettias. [38] The discovery of the role phytoplasmas play in the growth of axillary buds is credited to Ing-Ming Lee of the USDA Agricultural Research Service. As mentioned earlier, the poinsettia is a symbol of Christmas because of a Mexican legend telling a poinsettia story set during the holiday. Water well and place the newly-potted plant in front of the brightest window you have, and once again keep it at a temperature of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Contents 1 Description 2 Christmas tradition 3 Creation of the American poinsettia industry 4 Cultivation 4.1 Diseases 5 Rumoured toxicity 6 References 7 External links Description At present there is evidence that four different collections of seeds and plants were sent from Mexico to Bartrams Garden in Philadelphia in the period 1828-1829. Did you enjoy learning those facts about poinsettias? The poinsettia's small flowers are surrounded by colorful leaves called bracts. FACT CHECK: Our editorial staff aims to be accurate and fair in all posts. Many new poinsettia colors are not the result of plant breeding. Poinsettias are native to Central America, specifically a region in Southern Mexico called Taxco de Alcaron. The poinsettia, native to Mexico, was given the botanical name Euphorbia pulcherrima, which literally means "very beautiful." Its popular name honors Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, who introduced the plant here. As a major scientific scholar in 19th-century America, the botanist and statesman was the first to argue the Smithsonian should be a national museum . View all agriculture and environment programs, Continuing Education for Health Professions, Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions, Poinsettia: America's most popular flower, Defensive Tactics: Ground Control and Handcuffing Seminar, Fire Service Instructor I (Blended) - CP23271, Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator: Pumper - CP23192, Keep your eyes peeled for colorful St. Patrick's Day spuds, MU experts offer HACCP training for food processors, Survey to help guide state broadband efforts, Preserve It Fresh, Preserve It Safe: 2023, No. Poinsettia resembled a known North American native, Euphorbia heterophylla and so for a time it was referred to under that name. [11] Nothing is known about pollination in wild poinsettias, though wasps are noted to occasionally visit the cyathia. Red poinsettias symbolize the blood of Christ. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased! [32], Until the 1990s, the Ecke family, who had moved their operation to Encinitas, California, in 1923, had a virtual monopoly on poinsettias owing to a technique that made their plants much more attractive. Image: Max and Dee Bernt North America or Northern America is the northern landmass of the Americas. Place the plant in the soil at the same depth it was growing in the container. He first served as a special envoy to Mexico in 1822-1823, and when the new Mexican Republic was recognized in 1824, Poinsett was first U. S. Minister Plenipotentiary. [21], Poinsettias are popularly, though incorrectly, said to be toxic to humans and other animals. Its range is about 2,000km (1,200mi) long, encompassing mid-elevation tropical dry forests. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. You may also see it written as La Flor de la Nochebuena, which means Flower of Christmas Eve. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. There are seven countries in Central America: Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. The plant called "Poinsetta" was discovered there by the American ambassador to Mexico James Poinsett. [27] Crimson blossoms sprouted from the weeds and became poinsettias. The . She is a freelance writer, specializing in content related to fashion, food and drink and film industry topics. (Although there is still some debate whether some North American Euphorbia species should be split off into a new genus Poinsettia. document.getElementById("eeb-998483-568343").innerHTML = eval(decodeURIComponent("%27%69%6e%66%6f%40%62%61%72%74%72%61%6d%73%67%61%72%64%65%6e%2e%6f%72%67%27"))*protected email*. If you enjoyed learning these facts about poinsettias, and discovering National Poinsettia Day, youll be excited to know there are actually several national days of the year dedicated to plants. [18][19][20][21] One of the triterpenoid skeleton is investigated as foundation to drugs for Alzheimer's disease. Mexico; "Poinsettia" was the name of . White poinsettias symbolize Christs purity. The plant bears dark green dentate leaves that measure 716 centimetres (2.86.3in) in length. Poinsettia plants are native to Central America, especially an area of southern Mexico known as Taxco del Alarcon, where they flower during the winter. Pick up the pot. 2022 Carol G Speake. The common name we use today was believed to have been coined around 1836. In warm climates the poinsettia grows outdoors as a winter-flowering leggy shrub about 3 metres (10 feet) high; as a potted plant in northern areas it rarely grows beyond 1 metre. What looks like petals are specialized leaves called bracts. The poinsettia plant is a ubiquitous Christmas staple. . Buist had trained at the Edinburgh garden, and he returned to Scotland in 1831 to acquire stock for his new nursery business. The son of a French physician, Poinsett was appointed as the first United States Ambassador to Mexico (1825-1829) by President James Madison. It's one of the most popular plants in the world, with annual sales of ~90m units and a global retail impact of nearly $1B. [5], An attempt to determine a poisonous dose of poinsettia to rats failed, even after reaching experimental doses equivalent to consuming 500 leaves, or nearly 1kg (2.2lb) of sap. The history of the poinsettia begins with an old Mexican legend and, later, a major American business venture. It was introduced to the United States in 1828 and got its name from Joel Roberts Poinsett. Ambassador Poinsettia offered to buy Texas so he could reintroduce slavery into Tejas. The poinsettia is native to Mexico and Central America, where it grows in moist, wet, wooded ravines and on rocky hillsides. https://extension.missouri.edu/media/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/stock/plants/Poinsettia-ARS.jpgThe poinsettia's small flowers are surrounded by colorful leaves called bracts. Click to see our Privacy Policy, Christmas is here, bring on the poinsettias!! He later established Ecke Ranch in Encinitas, California. If your poinsettia is wrapped in decorative foil, make sure there is a drain hole in the foil. She felt sad, but her cousin, Pedro told her that the baby Jesus would appreciate any present given with love. All content on this site is Carol G Speake (Always The Holidays) unless otherwise stated. It is particularly well known for its red and green foliage and is widely used in Christmas floral displays. Feb. 1, 2023. 1. Stroll the Schuylkill River Trailor join us for biking! 12. [29] The star-shaped leaf pattern is said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, and the red color represents the blood sacrifice of the crucifixion of Jesus. Its natural habitat is thus highly fragmented, particularly near metropolitan areas such as Taxco. b. la flor de Nochebuena. Always the Holidays reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. His son, Paul Ecke, developed the grafting technique, but it was the third generation of Eckes, Paul Ecke Jr., who was responsible for advancing the association between the plant and Christmas. There is a nice legend associated with it. Poinsettias arent always red! Poinsettia plants are native to Central America regions, from southern Guatemala to Mexico. Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is the traditional flower associated with Christmas and the top-selling flowering potted plant in the United States. Lets partner! The Aztecs referred to poinsettia as "cuetlaxochitl" (brilliant flower), while the Maya called them "k'alul wits" (ember flower). They are beautiful, but the sap from the berries may cause an allergic reaction. hessy wa kayole pictures. a plant, Euphorbia (Poinsettia) pulcherrima, of the spurge family, native to Mexico and Central America, having variously lobed leaves and brilliant scarlet, pink, or white petallike bracts. Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, the poinsettia was first described by Europeans in 1834. As of 2012, wild poinsettias were not protected by Mexican law. The new euphorbia was re-named Poinsettia pulcherrima by Robert C. Graham, Regius Professor of Botany at Edinburgh, in an article prepared both for Curtiss and the Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal. Populations can be up to several hundred individuals, but this is not typical. Always the Holidays (RJS & CGS Enterprises LLC) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Like most native products flowers fruits and the like are known today with English names as is the custom since people like Poinsett saw the flower and introduced in the US and the rest is part of the folclore. Poinsettia plants are native to Central America, most commonly in southern Mexico, where they flower during the winter. These plants were highly prized by Kings Netzahualcyotl & Montezuma, but because of climatic restrictions could not be grown in their capital, which is now Mexico City. In Spain, Puerto Rico, and other Central America countries it's known as Flor de Pascua or Pascua, meaning Christmas Flower. Robert Buist, a Philadelphia nurseryman, remembered seeing the first poinsettia roots unpacked at Bartrams Garden in 1828: On my arrival in this country from the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh, in 1828, I paid a visit to the famed Bartram Botanic Garden, and there saw two cases of plants which had just arrived from Mexico. A man passionate about science, Poinsett insisted that scientists be included in these global travels. He also appeared on television programs like The Tonight Show and Bob Hope's Christmas specials to promote the plants. In Mexico, the poinsettia is known as Flor de Nochebuena, or Christmas Eve Flower. It is the first known phytoplasma that has economically advantageous effects. The ancient Aztecs called them cuetlaxochitl. Since graduating from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Jess has been living and working in Los Angeles, CA. Just pin this image to one of your trivia boards on Pinterest so that you can easily find it later. Would you like a reminder of these poinsettia facts? Shop for plants or grow food, trees, and more. During this period, perhaps in the winter of 1827-1828 Poinsett encountered the unnamed plant that now bears his name. This list is in large part made up of fruits and vegetables offered in the markets in Mexico, but some trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants from the wild were included, notably several forms of cactus. Left and right arrows move across top level links and expand / close menus in sub levels. James McNab also visited Philadelphia, and Bartrams Garden in the summer of 1834, and probably took the first successful poinsettia plants back with him to Edinburgh in the fall. The modern common name poinsettia arose from Grahams description, and as the plant spread rapidly in cultivation in the UK and Europe it was known under the name poinsettia. [37][11][12], To produce extra axillary buds that are necessary for plants containing multiple flowers, a phytoplasma infectionwhose symptoms include the proliferation of axillary budsis used. In rare cases, exposure to the eye may result in eye irritation. Poinsettias are popular at Christmas for two reasons: being heavily advertised on television during this time, and also because of the Mexican legend about the origin of the poinsettia. The Christmas flower, also called the poinsettia flower and the poinsettia plant, is native to southern Mexico and Central America. Poinsettia plants are native to Central America, especially an area of southern Mexico known as 'Taxco del Alarcon' where they flower during the winter. Enjoy all that theTidal Schuylkill Riverhas to offer. Check out our post on National Poinsettia Day, including fun and festive ways to celebrate the day! And the poinsettia, also known as the Christmas plant, became a symbol of Christmastime in the 16th century in its native lands now known as Mexico. Go back and get it! Growingfood sovereigntywith an African Diaspora focus. COLUMBIA, Mo. Euphorbia pulcherrima, the botanical name, or poinsettia as we call it is native to Mexico and Guatemala in Central America. Also, look at the underside of the leaves to check for insect damage. Each of the plants associated with Christmas hold a significance to the holiday deeply rooted in history, and poinsettias are no different. Bartrams Garden is located in Lenapehoking, the homeland of the Lenape people. A common myth that has existed for generations is that a poinsettia's leaves are poisonous. He began growing the plant in the tens of thousands for the Christmas season, when other flowers were scarce. The colorful part that we might consider the poinsettia flower is actually a collection of colored leaves called "bracts." The plant's true flower is the tiny, yellow bloom in the middle of the bract, called a "cyathium." Poinsettias are not poisonous. This process, in response to certain amounts of light or lack thereof, turns the . This poinsettia is so much more than a wintertime decoration, this plant has a long history, a special religious meaning, and has become a symbol of the Christmas holiday. Poinsettias are not poisonous. C. Carl Linnaeus. The holotype had been collected in Mexico during an 18031804 expedition by Alexander von Humboldt and Aim Bonpland. However, florist dye them in common colors or even add shimmers to make them much more visually engaging during Christmas. 1. . Every year in the United States, approximately 70 million poinsettias of many cultivated varieties are sold in a six-week period. Updated. After its introduction in Philadelphia, the poinsettia was shipped around the country during the 1800s, usually as an outdoor plant for warm climates. In 2002, an Act of Congress made it official. The poinsettia flowered in Edinburgh for the first time in the spring of 1835, but imperfectly. Funny thing about history though; it seems to change over time to suit a specific agenda. Every year, just after Thanksgiving, it emerges en masse at nurseries, big-box retailers, fundraisers, and holiday parties. Heres a tweet to get you started: On July 22, 2002 Congress agreed that December 12 would become National Poinsettia Day. by. Some have even been treated with dyes, painted, or sprayed with glitter. The poinsettia was described as a new species in 1834 by German scientist Johann Friedrich Klotzsch. I know often this happens in "short histories". Even thought National Poinsettia Day is observed in the United States, December 12 is also celebrated in Mexico the celebration of Lady Guadalupe. Enjoy upcomingworkshops, self-care, and events. As part of his mission to expand cooperation between the two countries, Poinsett shipped plants and seeds between Mexico and the United States. Poinsettias are also called Flores de la Noche Buena or Flowers of the Holy Night. Philadelphia nurserymen also used the name Poinsetts euphorbia and around 1832 Robert Buist began using Euphorbia poinsettia for the new plant. Photo by Scott Bauer, USDA Agricultural Research Service. Head to Always the Holidays for facts about poinsettias as well as their history, origin, meaning and symbolism! Resources and opportunities especially forneighborsin Southwest Philly. Today, Poinsettias grace the mantels, hearths, dinner tables, and front porches of homes all over the world during the holidays. It is traditionally regarded as a true Christmas flower. The winter-blooming plant was used for medicinal purposes (from its sap) and as a source of red . This is impossible for the poinsettia was shown to the Philadelphia public in June of 1829, over six months before Poinsett returned from Mexico. it caused property damage estimated at $22.5 million, as well as the only reported fatality in. [11] In Chile and Peru, the plant became known as the "crown of the Andes".