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Even without Christmas being spelled out in winter, my heart fills with anticipation when i see the red leaves of poinsettas. Despite not being a flower, it is rare a plant can evoke such excitement. Its redness and desirability might trump the camellia flower.
A dicotyledonous plant of the geranium family, flowers bloom from July to September with a light yellowish green and a 6mm diameter. It look passionate but what is interesting that although it is a plant seen in winter, it originates from Mexico. Poinsettas grown in Mexican greenhouses are called red star trees.

Poinsettia Botanical Illustration circa 1836 by Walter Hood Fitch (1817-1892)

In Mexico they grow to be 3-4m. Although it is foliage plant used for Christmas decoration, its beginning had nothing to do with Christmas. Originating from Mexico, it is weak to cold and it became a symbol of Christmas in the 19th century when it was used to ward off evil spirts. The name poinsetta came from its discoverer, j.r. pointsett (1779-1851). The American ambassador to Mexico, Joel Robert Poinsett, was also a botanist. Although it originally had no relation to Christmas, the poinsetta became a symbol of Christmas in the 19th century when it was used in Europe and America to ward off evil spirts. It was actually a common plant that aztecs in Mexico used to alleviate fevers.

Familiar Indian flowers : with coloured plates (1878)

In the 17th century Franciscan monks settled in the daskow area and started to use the plant for festivals to symbolize “red being the pure blood of christ.” the legend of poinsettas in Christmas started in a small Mexican town where it was carefully offered to baby Jesus as they had no money to offer. The flower offered in Christmas to Jesus by a small child became increasingly red and became used as a Christmas decoration. As dramatic as this legend, the floriography of the poinsetta says, “My heart is burning.”

Why not enjoy the poinsettias with your burning heart this winter.

학명/ Euphorbia Pulcherrima
Family/ Plant family
Origin/ Mexico
Distrubtion region / Mexico
Blooming period / December