MY BOARDSERVER
 Subject: History of the Poinsettia
 
Author: Serra International
Date:   12/19/2016 1:20 am 
Eclipsed only by the Christmas tree itself, the poinsettias are the most ubiquitous flora of the Christmas season, at least in the Americas. The plant's showy red "flowers" (technically, bracts, a specialized kind of leaf) against deep green foliage embody the traditional colors of the holiday, and the size of the plants mean just a few can be grouped together to make an eye-catching display.

In fact, in a world full of Christmas traditions handed down mostly from Europe (Germany and Britain in particular), the poinsettia stands alone as a holiday contribution from the New World.

Native to Mexico, the poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) was treasured by the Aztecs, who named it cuetlaxochitle, meaning roughly "flower that withers like all that is pure." In the 16th century, Spanish conquest violently extinguished the Aztec Empire, including its rich culture, religion and knowledge. The poinsettia was all but forgotten.

Then, Franciscan missionaries wishing to bring the meaning of Christmas alive for the native Mexicans decided to create a Nativity Scene one year. Legend has it that a young girl named Pepita walked up to the creche and started to cry; she understood that they were celebrating the birthday of the babe in the manger but lamented that she had no gift.

The friars told her that any gift given with love would be a good one. She left the mission grounds and picked some green leaves, which she returned and offered to the Baby Jesus. It was at that point that the leaves turned deep red; the friars declared it a miracle, and named the flower flor de nochebuena ("flower of the blessed night" -- Christmas Eve).

Centuries later, architect, botanist and first American ambassador to Mexico Joel Poinsett saw the flower at a Christmas Eve Mass in Santa Prisca de Taxco, Mexico in 1824. He inquired after it and the priests gave him some seeds along with the legend of Pepita. His term as ambassador in Mexico was disastrous and led to his dismissal from the post, but when he returned to his South Carolina home he worked on germinating and cultivating the seeds of flor de nochebuena in his greenhouse. He shared his success with Charleston churches and plant-loving friends, who eventually called it "poinsettia" in honor of him.
Reply To This Message

 Topics Author  Date      
 History of the Poinsettia    
Serra International 12/19/2016 1:20 am 
 Reply To This Message
 Your Name:  
 Your Email:  
 Subject:  
  Submission Validation Question: What is 84 - 32? *  
* indicates required field