While the Smithsonian is so much more than a museum, Joel Roberts Poinsett is the man we have to thank for the part of the Smithsonian that is a museum! Poinsett was so impressed by the beauty of these plants that he sent cuttings back to hisplantation near Georgetown,South Carolina,where they were propagated and called the Mexican Fire Plant. The plant was shared with botanical gardens and growers across the country. During the Victorian age, a "kissing ball" made of ornaments and ribbons with mistletoe at the end was placed high in the room . For us to begin, we have to go all the way back to 14th-century Mexico. 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. D. Theophrastus. Remember that this is a tropical plant, so don't leave it in a cold car while you run other errands. The legend says that there once was a little girl from Mexico named Pepita who wanted to see the baby Jesus on Christmas Eve. March 1, 2023, Publication date: [11] In Chile and Peru, the plant became known as the "crown of the Andes". Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. In Mexico, the poinsettia is known as Flor de Nochebuena, or Christmas Eve Flower. 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. 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. Keep it out of direct sun, though, which could fade the leaves. [11] Nothing is known about pollination in wild poinsettias, though wasps are noted to occasionally visit the cyathia. The Christmas flower, also called the poinsettia flower and the poinsettia plant, is native to southern Mexico and Central America. 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. [6] Klotzsch credited Carl Ludwig Willdenow with the species name "pulcherrima", and the authority is given as Willd. 1121 Main Street | P.O. December 18, 2021. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.. Cut off the fading bracts, leaving 4-6 inches of the stem on each branch and as many green leaves as possible. (Although there is still some debate whether some North American Euphorbia species should be split off into a new genus Poinsettia. FACT CHECK: Our editorial staff aims to be accurate and fair in all posts. Soon, the plants became popular across the U.S. and were renamed for Mr. Poinsett. The botanical name for Poinsettias is Euphorbia Pulcherrima, which literally means "the most beautiful Euphorbia". [27] Crimson blossoms sprouted from the weeds and became poinsettias. Thank you for sharing your concern about the entire story not being told. The birth flowers of December are Narcissus and Poinsettias. 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. Red poinsettias symbolize the blood of Christ. If ingested, mild drooling or vomiting can occur, or rarely, diarrhea. Even thought National Poinsettia Day is observed in the United States, December 12 is also celebrated in Mexico the celebration of Lady Guadalupe. Many plants in the Euphorbiaceae family ooze a milky white sap which can cause skin irritations for people who are allergic to latex. Poinsettias are also called Flores de la Noche Buena or Flowers of the Holy Night. Make sure you check out our posts on the traditions of Christmas greenery and the history of mistletoe if this topic interests you. This is why red and green are the colors of Christmas today. You may also see it written as La Flor de la Nochebuena, which means Flower of Christmas Eve. They also come in pink, white, orange, salmon, burgundy, speckled, and marbled. [11], The plant's association with Christmas began in 16th-century Mexico, where legend tells of a girl, commonly called Pepita or Mara, who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of the nativity of Jesus and was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from the roadside and place them in front of the church altar. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. When it flowered again in 1836 it was drawn for Curtiss Botanical Magazine. In Spain, Puerto Rico, and other Central America countries it's known as Flor de Pascua or Pascua, meaning Christmas Flower. just read the article The . 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. In addition, it's bordered by the Caribbean Sea, Pacific Ocean, and numerous bays, gulfs and inlets. 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. Wild poinsettia populations are highly fragmented, as their habitat is experiencing largely unregulated deforestation. [10] Prior to poinsettia, it was known as "Mexican flame flower" or "painted leaf". They became associated with the Christmas holiday and are popular seasonal decorations. Box 520 | Dublin, NH 03444. The popularity of the poinsettia as a Christmas flower is due, in large part, to the Ecke family. ), 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. It is in the same family as frangipani and milkweed. Feb. 9, 2023, Publication date: Poinsettias ( Euphorbia pulcherrima) do need special care to keep bloomingand can be kept year after year to rebloom, if you give them proper care. The Christmas rose, also called the Snow or Winter Rose, is a well known English plant. In the wild, poinsettia plants are native to the Pacific coastline of southwestern Mexico and Guatemala. It is native to the countries of Mexico and Guatemala. They are beautiful, but the sap from the berries may cause an allergic reaction. 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. 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! The true flowers are the yellow bead-like structures in the center of the poinsettia (called cyathia). Different colors are the result of chance mutations from the original red.. Check out this guide to making a poinsettia candy cane vase. Long before the arrival of Europeans, the Aztecs of central Mexico cultivated the plant and called it Cuetlaxochitl. The son of a French physician, Poinsett was appointed as the first United States Ambassador to Mexico (1825-1829) by President James Madison. Tell the whole story. what is the poinsettia called in central america. Poinsett's Early Diplomacy. See more advice on how totake care of poinsettias and otherChristmas plants. Enjoy all that theTidal Schuylkill Riverhas to offer. Legend links it with the birth of Christ and a little shepherdess named Madelon. The plant bears dark green dentate leaves that measure 716 centimetres (2.86.3in) in length. Would you like a reminder of these poinsettia facts? Guatemala is the largest country by population, with almost 18 million inhabitants. The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is known all across the world as the flower of Christmas. Each of the plants associated with Christmas hold a significance to the holiday deeply rooted in history, and poinsettias are no different. by. 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. If you make it out to the Smithsonian Gardens for Christmas this year, make sure to look at all of the beautiful poinsettias! E. Wilhelm Schmidt., 3. Updates? . Unlike fresh Christmas trees, the cultivation of which has some ecological benefits and for which many municipalities have recycling programs, poinsettias are fairly resource-intensive and typically end up in landfills after the holiday. Bract color in poinsettia mutates very easily, Trinklein said. If you see something that doesnt appear correct, please click here to contact us. Help improve lives, communities and economies throughout the state. Gently firm the soil around the plant and water well. 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. 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. Like many of America's Thanksgiving staples, the poinsettia. Poinsettia plants are native to Central America, most commonly in southern Mexico, where they flower during the winter. [24] It can induce asthma and allergic rhinitis in certain groups of people. Want to learn more about this beautiful plant? 12. The poinsettia is said to have been used by . 2022 Carol G Speake. The site navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and space bar key commands. Use Tab key to loop through the section below. The plant was so highly prized in Aztec culture that "Cuetlaxochitl," as the plant was . A conservation risk typical for species with wild and cultivated populations is the contamination of the wild gene pool by hybridization with cultivated individuals. In Mexico, the poinsettia is known as Flor de Nochebuena, or Christmas Eve Flower. [14], Aztec people use the plant to produce red dye and as an antipyretic medication. Feb. 16, 2023, Publication date: 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. A. 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard The poinsettia was described as a new species in 1834 by German scientist Johann Friedrich Klotzsch. [32], Poinsettias are susceptible to several diseases, mostly fungal, but also bacterial and parasitic. For over 150 years, December 12 was considered National Poinsettia Day to honor the day of Poinsett's death in 1851. Fungal diseases affecting greenhouse poinsettia operations include Pythium root rot, Rhizoctonia root and stem rot, black root rot, scab, powdery mildew, and Botrytis blight. 1. It is the first known phytoplasma that has economically advantageous effects. You can skip fertilizer or plant food, Trinklein said. ex Klotzsch. Here are five things you should know about Central America. . In Euphorbia, the flowers are reduced even more and then aggregated into an inflorescence or cluster of flowers. Scientifically, the Poinsettia is known as Euphorbia pulcherrima meaning the most beautiful. 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. In the ancient Nahuatl language it is called cuetlaxochitl xochitl meaning ornamental flower. Cultivated and valued in Central America long before the arrival of Europeans, Euphorbia pulcherrima (meaning very beautiful Euphorbia) is known more commonly as Poinsettia. December 12 has been officially designated by the U.S. Congress as National Poinsettia Day in honor of the first Ambassador to the new Republic of Mexico, Joel Poinsett, as well as of American businessman, Paul Ecke Jr., who later successfully marketed the poinsettia worldwide. This article was most recently revised and updated by, Merry and Bright: 8 Jolly Christmas Plants, https://www.britannica.com/plant/poinsettia, Clemson Cooperative Extension - Home and Garden Information Center - Poinsettia, University of Minnesota Extension - Growing and caring for poinsettia, Texas A&M University - Homeculture Update - Poinsettias, National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Poinsettia protoplasts - a simple, robust and efficient system for transient gene expression studies, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - Horticulture and Home Pest News - Guide to Selection and Care of Poinsettias, poinsettia - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), poinsettia - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). 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. With proper care, poinsettias stay beautiful throughout the holiday season. More than 100 species ofbirdsrely on this ecosystem. Press Enter or Space to enter content for each tab button. She felt sad, but her cousin, Pedro told her that the baby Jesus would appreciate any present given with love. 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. Dont forget to check out Santas list to see if youve been naughty or nice this year. Poinsettias prefer moist, well-drained soils with a soil pH between 5.5 and 6.5. 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. Poinsett was a botanist, physician and the first United States Ambassador to Mexico. If you have kids make sure you check out our posts on another symbol of Christmas Santa Claus! This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small commission from the sale, but the price is the same for you. 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.. Lets partner! There are over 100 different varieties of poinsettias that come in many colors. Corrections? The poinsettia was made widely known because of a man named Joel Roberts Poinsett, who was the first Ambassador from the USA to Mexico in 1825. Now, thereason blazing red (and now pink, white, orange, plus combinations of these colors) poinsettias are the Christmas flowerin the United States is an accidental discovery by Joel Roberts Poinsett (17791851), an American statesman and the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico in 1828. 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 . poinsettia cuetlaxochitl The Aztecs called poinsettia cuetlaxochitl (brilliant flower) and the Mayans referred to it as k'alul wits (ember flower). The Aztecs referred to poinsettia as "cuetlaxochitl" (brilliant flower), while the Maya called them "k'alul wits" (ember flower). Poinsettias are not poisonous. Oleander is grown as a heat- and drought-tolerant evergreen flowering shrub in gardens throughout Florida. The Poinsettias native to southern Mexico & Mesoamerica, unlike todays commercial cultivars, grow into straight & tall trees. How can you ignore the fact that it is rooted in Aztec history, specifically? Population sizes are frequently very small, with as few as a dozen individuals. [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. In fact, it provides 80% of the poinsettias in the United States, and about 50% of the worlds supply of poinsettias! They also used the poinsettias' milky white sap wax to create a medicine to treat fevers. Most wild populations are on Pacific-facing slopes in steep canyons. 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. It was said that its milky white sap, called latex, could be used to reduce fever symptoms. Some may surprise you! In their native environment, poinsettias grow like a shrub and can reach heights of up to 15ft tall. Remove any excess water that is still in the planter after 10 minutes. One of the noteworthy exhibits was A new Euphorbia with bright scarlet bracteas or floral leaves, presented to the Bartram collection by Mr. Poinsett, United States Minister to Mexico. There can be no doubt that this was the poinsettia, now known as Euphorbia pulcherrima. As she lay the stems near the manger at the local church's nativity scene, they burst forth with red blossoms. Genetic analyses showed that the wild populations in northern Guerrero are the likely ancestors of most cultivated poinsettias. The plant eventually inherited its common name poinsettia to honor Joel Roberts Poinsett.
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