Poinsettias: The season's blossoms

The red beauty that captures the attention of many people around the world during the holiday season is the poinsettia, the perennial flowering shrub, native to Mexico.

Belonging to the Euphorbiacea family, the poinsettia is called the 'Crown of the Andes' by those in Chile and Peru, and also known as the lobster flower, flame leaf flower and the Mexican flame leaf, due to its brilliant colour of red. The botanical name Euphorbia pulcherrima, which means 'most beautiful', was assigned to this plant by a German botanist named Wilenow, who was dazzled by the red colour.

Even though the red poinsettia is the most popular, especially during the holiday season, there are about 100 varieties of poinsettias that come in different hues such as peach, pink, lemon, white, cream and white and gold splashed leaves.

In the wilds, the poinsettias can grow from small shrubs to trees, reaching a height of 0.6-4m (2-16ft) with rich green and brilliantly coloured foliage.

The leaves which are large, around 3-6 inches long, are 'toothed' on the sides and pointed at the tip. What's fascinating about this plant is that the attraction is in the leaves, and not the actual flowers. What most people consider to be the flowers are actually coloured bracts (modified leaves).

The real flowers of the poinsettia are the yellow 'ball shaped' structures that you see inside these bracts. They are called the cyathia. The flowers are borne at the stem tip in winter. Like most plants of the euphorbiaceae family, the poinsettia too oozes with a milky sap, and perhaps it is this that has led many to believe the plant is toxic.

However, poinsettias are not poisonous though one could end up with a 'tummy ache' if the leaves are eaten.

How did this sub-tropical plant become so famous the world around you may wonder? Well, now that the festive season, where this plant plays a prominent role is on, let's check out how poinsettias came to be associated with Christmas, and also who introduced this plant to the United States where it is most popular.

The poinsettias which is commercially grown in all the States of America today with California leading the list as the top producer, was introduced to the US from Mexico by a US colonel named Joel Robert Poinsett, way back in 1825. He was the first US ambassador to Mexico.

This beautiful plant which captured his attention was initially grown in a greenhouse in South Carolina and later in other parts of the land as it became popular. It is found in the wilds in Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

Today it is grown for commercial purposes throughout the US, in Australia, England and many other countries, as it is the second most popular holiday plant.

The Christmas tree takes first place.

In the UK alone, around 10 acres of poinsettias are grown annually. During the holiday season, 90 per cent of poinsettia exports are recorded from the US. Most Americans prefer the brilliant red poinsettias.

Records show that while 74 per cent like red, only 8 per cent like white and another 6 per cent prefer the pink.Did you know that the poinsettia is so popular in the US that even a special day has been dedicated for it? As the poinsettia was introduced by Colonel Poinsett, who died on December 12, 1851, this day is being observed as the National Poinsettia Day in his honour.

The Christmas miracle

Now let's see how the poinsettia came to be associated with Christmas.

According to legend, it all began with a poor little Mexican girl named Pepita. She had no gifts to offer baby Jesus when she attended the church service on Christmas eve.

Her cousin Pedro is believed to have consoled this sad Mexican girl by saying that 'even the humblest of gifts, if given in love will be accepted in His eyes.' So, remembering these wise words, Pepila had plucked some common weeds from the roadside to the church and made a small bouquet to offer baby Jesus.

Tears had rolled down her cheeks as she knelt at the foot of the Nativity scene...and behold, it is said, the weeds burst into brilliant red blossoms. Those who had witnessed it believed a Christmas miracle had taken place. Ever since that day, the flower was called the Flower of the Holy Night. It bloomed each year during the Christmas season only....

Don't you think it's a fascinating legend? Perhaps you too could grow a poinsettia plant in your garden. It is a popular indoor plant that needs good morning sunlight, and shade during the hotter parts of the day. Ask a gardener to show you how you can grow your own poinsettia plant.