The Poinsettia has always been a part of my Christmas tradition.  I was researching care of the Poinsettia plant 

when I came across a few facts.  I am wondering, did you know this? Drop me a note below.

The Poinsettia is native of Mexico and continues to grow wild in Central and South America to this day, it’s a perennial that grows to 10-15 feet high.   Mr. Joel Roberts Poinsett was the first US Ambassador to Mexico from 1825 to 1830.  He was a botanist and a doctor, he discovered the plant and sent cutting back home to Charleston, South Carolina,hence the name.  It was quickly introduced to the world as I found reference to it being in the United Kingdom by 1930.  

There is also Mexican Christmas Legend:  A simple girl’s mother had fallen ill and the little girl could not bring the originally intended gift to the baby Jesus on Christmas Eve, she was forlorn and ashamed.  She went into hiding, a lovely lady found her (An Angel, perhaps?) and told her to gather weeds from the side of the road, that the intention of the heart is what mattered.   As the little girl brought the weeds to the church and placed them as an offering, the weeds turned into a burst of bright fire color.  In Mexico, the Poinsettia is  know as Flor-de fuego (fire Flower). Flor-de Havidad, (Christmas Flower), Flor-de la Nochebuena (Flower of the Holy Night )

This story gives me more of a sense of gratitude and appreciation towards the poinsettia.   I must say, I did not have the depth of tradition behind.   I won’t look at it the same or take for granted the beauty of it. 

Happy Holidays to you and your family