Guatemala is the largest country by population, with almost 18 million inhabitants. Find out more about Jess here. For us to begin, we have to go all the way back to 14th-century Mexico. When it flowered again in 1836 it was drawn for Curtiss Botanical Magazine. The plant had a long history of medicinal use. As they were walking, she picked a bunch of weeds growing by the side of the road and fashioned them into a bouquet. This day honors both of the men who made this beautiful flower so popular in the United States. There are over 100 varieties of poinsettias available in shades of red, pink, white, and yellowsolids, streaked, marbled, and multicolored. The angels felt compassion for her plight. Cultivated and valued in Central America long before the arrival of Europeans, Euphorbia pulcherrima (meaning very beautiful Euphorbia) is known more commonly as Poinsettia. Celebrate Santas List Day Find Out Who Is On The Nice List This Year. [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. The poinsettia (/pnst(i)/;[1][2][3] Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a commercially important flowering plant species of the diverse spurge family Euphorbiaceae. ), It has long been the story that Poinsett personally introduced the poinsettia first to Charleston, bringing the plant on his return from Mexico, and from there it was discovered or sent to the Carrs in Philadelphia. Populations can be up to several hundred individuals, but this is not typical. In rare cases, exposure to the eye may result in eye irritation. 1993 to document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Curators of the University of Missouri, all rights reserved, DMCA and other copyright information. Poinsettias are native to Mexico and Central America where they grow into 10-foot-tall shrubs. what is the poinsettia called in central america. Every year in the United States, approximately 70 million poinsettias of many cultivated varieties are sold in a six-week period. Some may surprise you! [33][34], The Aztecs were the first to cultivate poinsettias. The newer Poinsettia cultivars are long-lasting in contrast to the cultivars that were available a few years ago. 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. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Call Santas phone number, or write a letter to Santas address at the North Pole! Aztec people loved poinsettia plants because they produced a bright red dye. The poinsettia is native to Central America, near southern Mexico. Perhaps the 1st religious connotations were placed on poinsettias during the 17C. Custom programming and server maintenance by Reinvented Inc. Corrections? Often these trees can reach heights up to 10 feet tall. The colorful part of the poinsettia that we enjoy isn't a flower. Around 1920 in southern California, a horticulturist named Paul Ecke became the next key person to promote the poinsettia. If in doubt, it's better to keep poinsettias a little . It is also called the Atatrk flower in Turkey. 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! He developed a secret grafting technique for the plants. Palm branches also hold meaning on Easter. Cut off the fading bracts, leaving 4-6 inches of the stem on each branch and as many green leaves as possible. Keep it out of direct sun, though, which could fade the leaves. The benefactor of the Smithsonian, James Smithson left his estate of $508,318 (which today is the equivalent of about $15 million) to create under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.. 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 has not been documented in wild poinsettias, though, as cultivars seldom flower and do not produce fruits. The rest is history. [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. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like 1. William Maclure returned briefly to Philadelphia in the fall of 1828, and he brought yet more Mexican seeds and plants with him. A few years later, due to the commercial & arts development in Hollywood, he was forced to move south to Encinitas where the Paul Ecke Ranch continues to produce poinsettias today. Photo by Scott Bauer, USDA Agricultural Research Service. [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. An Act of Congress has even set December 12, the death of Joel Poinsett, as National Poinsettia Day to commemorate a man and his plant. Take a close look at the cyathia as well. All available evidence suggests that the poinsettia was first sent to the Bartram Garden in Philadelphia in the fall of 1828. Because of its brilliant color, the poinsettia was a symbol of purity to the Indians. To promote poinsettias as a Christmas plant, he sent thecrimson-leavedplants to TV studios across the country, including The Tonight Show and Bob Hopes holiday specials. During this time of the year, poinsettias are all around! Paul Eckes Sr. and Paul Ecke Jr. had a massive impact on the poinsettia market. [14], Aztec people use the plant to produce red dye and as an antipyretic medication. It is commonly known that the poinsettia was named to honor physician, politician, diplomat, and amateur botanist, Joel Roberts Poinsett (1779-1851). 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. Poinsettias come in over 100 different varieties, and the poinsettia meaning changes depending on the color of the plant. ", La flor de Noche Buena today known as Poinsettia is not a tropical flower central Mexico is not tropical is high altitude mountain region and is part of the North American continent. Poinsettias are shrubs or small trees, with heights of 0.6 to 4m (2.0 to 13.1ft). No fertilizer is needed while the plant is in bloom. . There is a nice legend associated with it. I also love celebrating national days because, here, its Always the Holidays. Just be sure that cold temperatures in your area don't drop below 45 degrees . Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is the traditional flower associated with Christmas and the top-selling flowering potted plant in the United States. Poinsett found in Mexico an exotic plant that blooms red, pointy leaves not petals during winter. And while we now take for granted the connection of poinsettias and Christmas, it would take a while for nurserymen to reliably flower the new scarlet plant in time for the early winter holidays. 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". This is impossible for the poinsettia was shown to the Philadelphia public in June of 1829, over six months before Poinsett returned from Mexico. The Countries That Make Up Central America. [15], Pulcherrol and pulcherryl acetate are among the components of latex. The Christmas rose, also called the Snow or Winter Rose, is a well known English plant. [30], Poinsettias are popular Christmas decorations[31] in homes, churches, offices, and elsewhere across North America, as a result of an extensive marketing campaign by the Ecke family that began by shipping free poinsettias to television stations for use on-air. Poinsettia resembled a known North American native, Euphorbia heterophylla and so for a time it was referred to under that name. Genetic analyses showed that the wild populations in northern Guerrero are the likely ancestors of most cultivated poinsettias. Lets celebrate this beautiful plant by learning facts about poinsettias, and discovering more about the history, origin and symbolism and meaning of the poinsettia. Conditions that promote poinsettia propagation also favor certain diseases. Tell the whole story. Poinsettia plants are native to Central America, most commonly in southern Mexico, where they flower during the winter. [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. The Aztecs used the poinsettia bracts to make a reddish-purple dye for fabrics and used the sap medicinally to control fevers. Poinsettias are also one of the two birth flowers of December (the other is Narcissus). The true flowers are the yellow bead-like structures in the center of the poinsettia (called cyathia). National Poinsettia Day on December 12 also forms a cultural bridge between the U.S. and Mexico. It is particularly well known for its red and green foliage and is widely used in Christmas floral displays. In reply to Lauren, regardless of where by Kathryn (not verified). Copyright & Permissions 2023 - Carol G Speake. 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. The Ecke family of southern California began growing Why are the leaves on a poinsettia plant red? The popularity of the poinsettia as a Christmas flower is due, in large part, to the Ecke family. If the soil feels clammy or moist, wait before adding more water. All content on this site is Carol G Speake (Always The Holidays) unless otherwise stated. As part of his mission to expand cooperation between the two countries, Poinsett shipped plants and seeds between Mexico and the United States. poinsettia, (Euphorbia pulcherrima), well-known member of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae), commonly sold as an ornamental at Christmastime. Intolerant of the cold, in the North, it is grown almost exclusively indoors. The plants also require abundant light during the day for the brightest color. Omissions? She is a freelance writer, specializing in content related to fashion, food and drink and film industry topics. Enjoy upcomingworkshops, self-care, and events. It was almost certainly seen by early European explorers and colonists, but somehow never entered cultivation in Europe. Mexico; "Poinsettia" was the name of . Help improve lives, communities and economies throughout the state. [13], The flowers of the poinsettia are unassuming. The plant on display, apparently the original sent from Mexico, was still colorful in early June. Poinsett, a native of Charleston, South Carolina, held various diplomatic and political positions through his life, but always continued a strong interest in natural science and horticulture. Its scientific name is Euphorbia pulcherrima, meaning "very beautiful." John Bartram of Pennsylvania, the father of the American nursery industry, was the first to sell poinsettias under their botanical name. Poinsett, Maclure, Say, and Keating all arranged for Mexican seeds of plants to be sent to Bartrams Garden. Joel Roberts Poinsett introduced the poinsettia plant to the United States from Mexico. 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. What is a poinsettia called in South America? 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. 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. Ecke Ranch is now the largest producers of poinsettias in the world. I know often this happens in "short histories". 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. If you have kids make sure you check out our posts on another symbol of Christmas Santa Claus! E. Wilhelm Schmidt., 3. If that's your experience, it's time you learned about growing poinsettia plants outside. 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. You might be interested to know that each aspect of the poinsettia flower holds religious symbolism and has a different meaning. This international symbol of winter cheer was first successfully grown outside its Mexican homeland by Robert and Ann Bartram Carr at the Bartrams Garden in Philadelphia. 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. [5] This misconception was spread by a 1919 urban legend of a two-year-old child dying after consuming a poinsettia leaf. The poinsettia may have remained a regional plant for many years to come had it not been for the efforts of Joel Roberts Poinsett (1779 1851). [42], American Association of Poison Control Centers, "Beschreibung zweier neuen Euphorbien aus Mexico", "The Poinsettia: History and Transformation", "Poinsettia's wild ancestor in the Mexican dry tropics: Historical, genetic, and environmental evidence", "The Legends and Traditions of Holiday Plants | Horticulture and Home Pest News", "The Legends and Traditions of Holiday Plants", "The poinsettia: Jesus' life story in a plant", "The bloom is off the poinsettia business", "How America's Most Popular Potted Plant Captured Christmas", "First Report of Wilt and Stem Canker of Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) Caused by Phytophthora nicotianae in Puerto Rico", "Poinsettias: Helping an Icon to Bloom at the Right Time", "How Poinsettias Became Synonymous With Christmas", Plant Pathology Fact Sheet: Poinsettia Diseases, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Poinsettia&oldid=1135037680, This page was last edited on 22 January 2023, at 06:36. His father was a prominent physician and as a boy, Poinsett was educated by his father and private tutors. In addition, it's bordered by the Caribbean Sea, Pacific Ocean, and numerous bays, gulfs and inlets. 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. 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. This is the most likely route for plants of the poinsettia to Bartrams Garden. The son of a French physician, Poinsett was appointed as the first United States Ambassador to Mexico (1825-1829) by President James Madison. Between 1833 and 1836 the poinsettia went through a rapid series of scientific names as it was described and published in the US and Europefirst Pleuradena coccinea, then Poinsettia pulcherima, and finally Euphorbia pulcherima. Poinsett was elected a member of the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia in early 1827, and this seems to have cemented his connection with the Philadelphia scientific community and with Bartrams Garden .In early 1828, William Maclure, a longtime friend of Poinsett, and Thomas Say, a Bartram nephew, travelled to Mexico, visiting Vera Cruz and Mexico City. Below are some of our favorite plant themednational days: If you love trivia and want to learn more facts about all kinds of things, make sure you head to our fun facts section. 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. Like many of America's Thanksgiving staples, the poinsettia. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). In Spain, Puerto Rico, and other Central America countries it's known as Flor de Pascua or Pascua, meaning Christmas Flower. Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, the poinsettia was first described by Europeans in 1834. 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. It is a little-known fact that the poinsettia was introduced to the gardening world from the Bartram Botanic Garden in 1829. He first became involved in archaeological research at Bartrams Garden in 1975, and has participated in a number of archaeological and historic research projects at the garden site since. The plants can be kept as houseplants, though they require specific care in order to trigger the bracts to change colour and bloom again the following year. Population sizes are frequently very small, with as few as a dozen individuals. and it doesnt say anywhere that poinsetas are dangerious to animals, In reply to poinsetas by robert phillips (not verified). See whatsblooming, find a favoritetree, and stroll thegardensand natural lands. Everyone watching was convinced they had seen a miracle. (Although there is still some debate whether some North American Euphorbia species should be split off into a new genus Poinsettia. A German botanist, Wilenow, named it Euphorbia pulcherrima (most beautiful) in 1833, the correct scientific name to this day. Mexico exports. The poinsettia ( / pnst ( i) /; [1] [2] [3] Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a commercially important flowering plant species of the diverse spurge family Euphorbiaceae. Poinsettia is a short-day plant, meaning it needs long periods of uninterrupted darkness each day in order to bloom. Frequently Asked Questions. Legend links it with the birth of Christ and a little shepherdess named Madelon. In 2002, an Act of Congress made it official. Updates? [11] Today it is known in Mexico and Guatemala as flor de nochebuena or simply nochebuena, meaning 'Christmas Eve flower'. Ambassador Poinsettia offered to buy Texas so he could reintroduce slavery into Tejas. Different colors are the result of chance mutations from the original red.. Shop for plants or grow food, trees, and more. You may also see it written as La Flor de la Nochebuena, which means Flower of Christmas Eve. D. Theophrastus. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The Aztecs used the poinsettia bracts to make a reddish-purple dye for fabrics and used the sap medicinally to control fevers. [24] It can induce asthma and allergic rhinitis in certain groups of people. Poinsettia is a short-day plant, meaning it needs long periods of uninterrupted darkness each day in order to bloom. 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, just like most members of the Euphorbiaceae plant family, do not like wet soil, he said. It is in the same family as frangipani and milkweed. Though often stated to be highly toxic, the poinsettia is not dangerous[4] to pets or children. Infection by poinsettia branch-inducing phytoplasma is actually desirable, as it keeps the plants shorter with more flowers. In addition to pushing for research funding, Paul Ecke Jr., revolutionized how poinsettias were produced and sold. [39], Albert Ecke emigrated from Germany to Los Angeles in 1900, opening a dairy and orchard in the Eagle Rock area. Calling Southwest students: paidinternshipsavailable with the river, the farm, and the trees. In Spain, Puerto Rico, and other Central America countries it's known as Flor de Pascua or Pascua, meaning Christmas Flower. Want to add poinsettias decor to your holiday table this year? Mini poinsettias in a 6cm pot only need half a shot glass of water. One year, I took advantage of an open house at a local wholesale grower's greenhouse to view the estimated 40,000 plants they had ready to be shipped out to stores in my region. 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. ), In the summer of 1833, the botanist Constantine Rafinesque published the first scientific description of the poinsettia in Philadelphia, for his Atlantic Journal. [16][17] Triterpenes are found in aerial part of this plant including latex and leaves. While poinsettias with red bracts remain the most popular, they also come in creamy white, shades of pink and orange, marbled in pink and white, and with pink flecks on red. by. 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? Want to learn more about other plants that are associated with the Christmas holiday? Feb. 1, 2023. 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 (215) 729-5281 Thank you for sharing your concern about the entire story not being told. For over 150 years, December 12 was considered National Poinsettia Day to honor the day of Poinsett's death in 1851. 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. It's a perennial shrub that was once considered a weed and will grow 10 to 15 feet tall in the wild. 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. He studied anthropology, historical archaeology, and American Civilization at the University of Pennsylvania, and has written extensively on the history of Bartrams Garden and the Bartram family plant collections. Would you like a reminder of these poinsettia facts? 2022 Carol G Speake. In Euphorbia, the flowers are reduced even more and then aggregated into an inflorescence or cluster of flowers. The poinsettia is known throughout the world, though not always as a Christmas flower. That pop of floral color in everyone's home means the holidays are right around the corner. It is commonly known as poinsettia after Joel Roberts Poinsett, who introduced the plant into the United States in 1825. Up and Down arrows will open main level menus and toggle through sub tier links. You may also see it written as La Flor de la Nochebuena, which means Flower of Christmas Eve. Poinsett was a botanist, physician and the first United States Ambassador to Mexico. National Poinsettia Day Poinsettia Colors, Symbolism, Facts & more! The real tragedy of this limited history is that we have adopted the name, poinsettia, that was conferred on the plant by the so-called American statesman who was asked by the Mexican government to leave the country. Poinsettias, known as Euphorbia Pulcherrima, come in hundreds of beautiful colors. Soon, the plants became popular across the U.S. and were renamed for Mr. Poinsett. Add to your knowledge of poinsettias by checking out these facts about poinsettias below. [22] In 1944, the plant was included in H. R. Arnold's book Poisonous Plants of Hawaii on this premise.