Euphorbia Pulcherrima, also known as Poinsettia, Christmas Flower, Winter Rose, Christmas Star, or Mexican Flame Leaf, is a species of perennial shrubs or small trees in the Euphorbiaceae family. The botanical name for Poinsettias is Euphorbia pulcherrima, which literally means the most beautiful Euphorbia. Uncover the interconnected stories of thishistoric site. More than 2 million of them will be sold this year, making it the largest potted flower crop grown in the United States! At this early stage, the appropriate scientific name for the poinsettia was still in doubt. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Population sizes are frequently very small, with as few as a dozen individuals. (botany) a. la flor de Pascua. Infection by poinsettia branch-inducing phytoplasma is actually desirable, as it keeps the plants shorter with more flowers. California remainsthe top U.S. poinsettia-producing state. There are seven countries in Central America: Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Through the marketing efforts of Paul Ecke and his sons, the poinsettia has become symbolic with Christmas in the United States. 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. In reply to This is such a limited by Lauren Tartaglia (not verified). When it flowered again in 1836 it was drawn for Curtiss Botanical Magazine. The Christmas flower, also called the poinsettia flower and the poinsettia plant, is native to southern Mexico and Central America. From that day forward, the poinsettias were called Flores de la Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night. The poinsettia's small flowers are surrounded by colorful leaves called bracts. They were cultivated by the Aztecs for use in traditional medicine. If the soil feels clammy or moist, wait before adding more water. Would you like a reminder of these poinsettia facts? 3 B. "[8], The poinsettia is the world's most economically important potted plant. 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. I also love celebrating national days because, here, its Always the Holidays. It is native to Mexico and Central America with a few very interesting meanings and symbolism. The colorful part of the poinsettia that we enjoy isnt a flower. Event date: March 5, 2023, Event time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Event date: March 6, 2023, Event time: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm, Event date: March 6, 2023 - April 21, 2023, Event date: March 6, 2023 - March 10, 2023, Publication date: Bract color in poinsettia mutates very easily, Trinklein said. Poinsettias are members of the Euphorbiaceae Family and like many plants of this family the poinsettia oozes a milky, latex sap. He gave free plants to talk shows, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, which they featured on air. Mexico outlawed slavery in 1820. Since graduating from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Jess has been living and working in Los Angeles, CA. 1993 to document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Curators of the University of Missouri, all rights reserved, DMCA and other copyright information. Paul Ecke Jr. also went on talk shows to promote the plant. The bill passed by Congress, specifically honors Paul Ecke Jr.s contribution to the development of the poinsettia industry, and the ways in which he positively impacted the lives of others around him. b. la flor de Nochebuena. There are over 100 varieties of poinsettias available in shades of red, pink, white, and yellowsolids, streaked, marbled, and multicolored. Add to your knowledge of poinsettias by checking out these facts about poinsettias below. In the early 1830s Robert Buist began sending plants or cuttings of poinsettia to Europe, and particularly to his friend James McNab at the Edinburgh Botanic Garden. In Mexico, the poinsettia is known as Flor de Nochebuena, or Christmas Eve Flower. Poinsett was Secretary of War and loathed Indigenous Americans, helping to force them westwards which is ironic since this plant is native to the Americas and was so important in Indian history. Poinsettias come in over 100 different varieties, and the poinsettia meaning changes depending on the color of the plant. Poinsettia is a short-day plant, meaning it needs long periods of uninterrupted darkness each day in order to bloom. Welcome Center: Open Friday & Saturday, 9:30 am4:30 pm, Public Restrooms: Open MondaySaturday, 9:30 am4:30 pm. (215) 729-5281 Currently you have JavaScript disabled. The poinsettia is native to Central America, near southern Mexico. Join usyear-round to learn, make, share, and wonder. He resided in Mexico from 1825 to early 1830. The plant called "Poinsetta" was discovered there by the American ambassador to Mexico James Poinsett. Red poinsettias symbolize the blood of Christ. The third largest continent on Earth covers an area of 24.7 million km (9.5 million sq mi) and is situated in Earth's western hemisphere. 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! You may be surprised to know that poinsettias are not actually flowers! The red parts of the poinsettia that appear to be flower petals are actually leaves (called bracts). In 1970 the US Food and Drug Administration published a newsletter stating erroneously that "one poinsettia leaf can kill a child", and in 1980 they were prohibited from nursing homes in a county in North Carolina due to this supposed toxicity. The popularity of the poinsettia as a Christmas flower is due, in large part, to the Ecke family. Some may surprise you! The angels felt compassion for her plight. Although it's probably not a good idea to have a competitive-eating contest with poinsettia bracts since they could cause diarrhea, research has shown that a child could consume as many as 500 poinsettia bracts without any toxic effects [source: Perry].A tot who accidentally nibbles on a leaf may not . Photo by Scott Bauer, USDA Agricultural Research Service. . Skin exposure to the sap may cause itchiness, redness, or swelling. Theyre featured on Christmas cards, painted on ornaments, displayed on dinner tables, and found adorning front porches along with other festive decorations. Conditions that promote poinsettia propagation also favor certain diseases. In 92.4% of calls, there was no effect from exposure, and in 3.4% of calls there were minor effects, defined as "minimally bothersome". You cant talk about poinsettias without mentioning the name Paul Ecke. The brightly colored parts of the plant (called bracts) are actually modified leaves. 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. They also used the poinsettias' milky white sap wax to create a medicine to treat fevers. There is a somewhat anomalous population of wild poinsettias in the northern part of the Mexican state of Guerrero and Oaxaca, which is much further inland in the hot and seasonally dry forests than the rest of the species' range. Paul Eckes Sr. and Paul Ecke Jr. had a massive impact on the poinsettia market. Philadelphia nurserymen also used the name Poinsetts euphorbia and around 1832 Robert Buist began using Euphorbia poinsettia for the new plant. Creating this institution was a big task and there wasnt a clear idea how it would work. Then touch the surface of the soil. 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 Among the contents were the stumps of a strange-looking Euphorbia, which, after a few months growth, showed some very brilliant crimson bracts. (The young Buist soon built a very successful career on the new scarlet plant, and as a result he was credited with the introduction of the poinsettia to Europe in 1834.). Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, the poinsettia was first described by Europeans in 1834. (F) I want to put a poinsettia in the middle of each table.Quiero poner una flor de Pascua en medio de cada mesa. The Mexican poinsettia, known as the Christmas Flower in North America, is used in most Christmas decorations, owing to its bright red color and its blooming season coinciding with the Christmas holiday season. [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 plants are raised in greenhouses (it is big business), to be sold as potted flowers for the holidays. B. Hans Yodeler. Dont forget to share these poinsettia facts with your friends on twitter. The . In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Some have even been treated with dyes, painted, or sprayed with glitter. The winter-blooming plant was used for medicinal purposes (from its sap) and as a source of red . And, I woulda thought the poinsettia would've been snatched up as the perfect plant for Christmas not because of a marketing scheme, but because it was the Christmas colors. Fungal diseases affecting greenhouse poinsettia operations include Pythium root rot, Rhizoctonia root and stem rot, black root rot, scab, powdery mildew, and Botrytis blight. Poinsettias are often used during this day. This has not been documented in wild poinsettias, though, as cultivars seldom flower and do not produce fruits. If the plant sits on a saucer, empty it after the pot drains following watering. Water left sitting in a saucer can wick up into the root zone and keep it overly wet. Poinsettias were brought from Mexico to the United States through way of South Carolina by Joel Roberts Poinsett. It was almost certainly seen by early European explorers and colonists, but somehow never entered cultivation in Europe. Lets celebrate this beautiful plant by learning facts about poinsettias, and discovering more about the history, origin and symbolism and meaning of the poinsettia. If you live in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 12, you can begin planting poinsettia outdoors. A German botanist, Wilenow, named it Euphorbia pulcherrima (most beautiful) in 1833, the correct scientific name to this day. Philadelphia, PA 19143 Mexico exports. The Aztecs referred to poinsettia as "cuetlaxochitl" (brilliant flower), while the Maya called them "k'alul wits" (ember flower). To find the real (Nahuatl) name for this beautiful plant, check out the real history on my Facebook page. June 10, 2022; By: Author bloomberg fields dictionary; how tall is acrophobia at six flags They are beautiful, but the sap from the berries may cause an allergic reaction. Overwatering is a common cause of death, so water only when the soil is dry and don't let the plant sit in water. The plants also require abundant light during the day for the brightest color. 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. [11] In Chile and Peru, the plant became known as the "crown of the Andes". Cultivated varieties are available with white, pink, mottled, and striped bracts, but the solid red varieties, in several shades, remain in greatest demand during the Christmas season. According to legend, a young peasant girl picked poinsettia greens as a Christmas Eve gift for the baby Jesus. Philadelphia nurseryman Robert Buist 1st sold the plant as Euphorbia poinsettia, although a German botanist had already given the plant the botanical name Euphorbia pulcherima. The colored "flowers" are actually specialized leaves called bracts, while the true flowers are inconspicuous beads found in the center of the bracts. Lauren, regardless of where a flower was discovered or has possibly been used to divine a purpose dictated from someones heart, has nothing to do with the poinsettia that was created as a thing of beauty. Mexico; "Poinsettia" was the name of . 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard I am a history-lover and will do more research on my own, but can you share your sources, or is your comment based on oral histories passed down through generations? Luke 2:8-14 It makes it hard to pick just one! Intolerant of the cold, in the North, it is grown almost exclusively indoors. 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. Soon, the plants became popular across the U.S. and were renamed for Mr. Poinsett. Gosh, I woulda thought the red and green colors were chosen for the same reason as chosen in European tradition- red for Christ's blood and green for eternal life- colors that had to be used symbolically at certain points because Christianity had come under such persecution. La flor de Noche Buena was not exclusive to the Aztecs but to several ethnic groups there are over 64 four know in today Mxico ethnic groups Aztecs were not the only ones in Mesoamrica. Poinsettias are native to Central America, specifically a region in Southern Mexico called Taxco de Alcaron. He became intrigued by the plant and sold them from street stands. BONUS: Youll also receive our freeBeginner GardeningGuide! 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. Many new poinsettia colors are not the result of plant breeding. 2022 Carol G Speake. Omissions? Even if you have a limited holiday decorating budget . [8] Carr described it as "a new Euphorbia with bright scarlet bracts or floral leaves, presented to the Bartram Collection by Mr. Poinsett, United States Minister of Mexico. Poinsettias have also been called the lobster flower and the flame-leaf flower, due to the red color. [7], It was known by the common name "poinsettia" as early as 1836,[8] derived from Joel Roberts Poinsett, a botanist and the first US Minister to Mexico. Enjoy upcomingworkshops, self-care, and events. Tab will move on to the next part of the site rather than go through menu items. The ancient Aztecs called them 'cuetlaxochitl'. 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*. 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. Feb. 16, 2023, Publication date: Here you'll find recipes and craft projects to make your holidays even more special. No fertilizer is needed while the plant is in bloom. Tell the whole story. The plant now known as poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima, is native to the pacific coast of Mexico and has an ancient history of human use. Pick up the pot. After suffering for two weeks with uncontrollable itching, hives and fevers, I found out the sap is poisonous to animals and some humans. C. Carl Linnaeus. By the way, the showy red parts of Poinsettia plants are not the flowers; rather, they are modified leaves known as bracts. In their native region of southern Mexico, poinsettias flower during the winter season. Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, the poinsettia was first described by Europeans in 1834. 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. If you have kids make sure you check out our posts on another symbol of Christmas Santa Claus! Joel Roberts Poinsett was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on March 2, 1779. Buist had trained at the Edinburgh garden, and he returned to Scotland in 1831 to acquire stock for his new nursery business. Genetic analyses showed that the wild populations in northern Guerrero are the likely ancestors of most cultivated poinsettias. 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! All content on this site is Carol G Speake (Always The Holidays) unless otherwise stated. Guatemala is the largest country by population, with almost 18 million inhabitants. The poinsettia was described as a new species in 1834 by German scientist Johann Friedrich Klotzsch. Corrections? The demand for live poinsettias faces increasing criticism for being wasteful. That pop of floral color in everyone's home means the holidays are right around the corner. Poinsett found in Mexico an exotic plant that blooms red, pointy leaves not petals during winter. The plant bears dark green dentate leaves that measure 716 centimetres (2.86.3in) in length. Today, Poinsettias are not only the most popular Christmas plant, but the best-selling potted plant in the United States and Canada, contributingover $250 million to the U.S. economy at the retail level. As part of his mission to expand cooperation between the two countries, Poinsett shipped plants and seeds between Mexico and the United States. Positioned in the planet's northern and western hemispheres the Central America isthmus is bordered in the northwest by the country of Mexico, and in the southeast by the country of Colombia. The poinsettia (/pnst(i)/;[1][2][3] Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a commercially important flowering plant species of the diverse spurge family Euphorbiaceae. Around 1920 in southern California, a horticulturist named Paul Ecke became the next key person to promote the poinsettia. Oleander is grown as a heat- and drought-tolerant evergreen flowering shrub in gardens throughout Florida. William Keating, a geologist from the University of Pennsylvania also traveled to Mexico in 1828 to prospect for American mining interests. Check out this guide to making a poinsettia candy cane vase. He developed a secret grafting technique for the plants. Just pin this image to one of your trivia boards on Pinterest so that you can easily find it later. Populations can be up to several hundred individuals, but this is not typical. In mid-May, do the following: Cut the stems back to about four inches and repot your poinsettia into a slightly larger container filled with new potting soil. To get off to a good start, protect your new plant from cold temperatures and chilling winds on the way home from the store. In 1828 when he saw the beautiful red plant growing in Mexico, he began shipping some back to his home in South Carolina where he could grow and study them in his greenhouse. The plant now known as poinsettia, Euphorbia pulcherrima, is native to the pacific coast of Mexico and has an ancient history of human use. During the Victorian age, a "kissing ball" made of ornaments and ribbons with mistletoe at the end was placed high in the room . Find out more about Jess here. Feb. 1, 2023. Just be sure that cold temperatures in your area don't drop below 45 degrees . Copyright & Permissions 2023 - Carol G Speake. 1121 Main Street | P.O. A man passionate about science, Poinsett insisted that scientists be included in these global travels. Central America 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. A milky latex in the stems and leaves can be irritating to persons or animals sensitive to it, but the claim that poinsettias are deadly poisonous is greatly exaggerated. This is impossible for the poinsettia was shown to the Philadelphia public in June of 1829, over six months before Poinsett returned from Mexico. Poinsettia fire - the poinsettia fire was the second most destructive of the may 2022 san diego county wildfires. Bacterial diseases include bacterial soft rot and bacterial canker, while a viral disease is Poinsettia mosaic virus. After the new scarlet euphorbia was introduced to the public in 1829, the plant was widely propagated, and became a popular mainstay of the Philadelphia florist trade. Aside from the Christmas tree itself, no plant symbolizes Christmas quite like the poinsettia. His son, Paul Ecke Jr. impacted the history of poinsettias by helping the horticultural industry push for floral and nursery crops to be included in the US Department of Agricultures research budget. Make sure you check out our posts on the traditions of Christmas greenery and the history of mistletoe if this topic interests you.