David Cathell Photography Lanai Poinsettias

The poinsettia (/p??n's?ti?/ or /p??n's?t?/) (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a commercially important seed varieties of the diverse spurge family. The species is indigenous to Mexico. It really is particularly popular because of its green and red foliage and is widely used in Xmas floral shows. It derives its common English name from Joel Roberts Poinsett,[3] the first United States Minister to Mexico,[4] who introduced the plant to the united states in 1825.

Euphorbia pulcherrima is a shrub or small tree, achieving a level of 0 typically.6-4 metres (2 ft 0 in-13 ft 1 in). The seed bears dark renewable dentate leaves that measure 7-16 centimetres (2.8-6.3 in) long. The colored bracts--which are most often flaming red but can be orange, pale green, cream, green, white, or marbled--are mistaken for flower petals because of their groupings and colors often, but are actually leaves.[citation needed] The colors of the bracts are created through photoperiodism, meaning that they might need darkness (12 hours at the same time for at least five days in a row) to change color. At the same time, the plants require considerable light throughout the day for the brightest color. The flowers of the poinsettia are unassuming and don't attract pollinators. They are simply grouped within small yellowish structures found in the center of every leaf number, and are called cyathia. The poinsettia is indigenous to Mexico. It really is found in the outrageous in deciduous tropical forests at moderate elevations from southern Sinaloa down the complete Pacific coast of Mexico to Chiapas and Guatemala. It is also found in the interior in the hot, seasonally dry out forests of Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas. Reviews of E. pulcherrima growing in the wild in Nicaragua and Costa Rica have yet to be validated by botanists. You will find over 100 cultivated varieties of poinsettia.

The plant was utilized by the Aztecs to produce red dye and as an antipyretic medication. In Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs, the plant is named Cuitlaxochitl, meaning "flower that grows in residues or soil" Today it is well known in Mexico and Guatemala as Flor de Noche Buena, meaning Christmas Eve Flower. In Spain it is recognized as Flor de Pascua or Pascua, signifying Easter flower. In Peru and Chile, the flower became known as Crown of the Andes. In Turkey, it is named Atat?rk's blossom because Atat?rk, the creator of the Republic, liked this flower and made a significant contribution to its cultivation in Turkey.[citation needed] In Hungarian, it is called Santa Claus' Bloom, and it's trusted as a Xmas decoration.

The plant's association with Christmas started in 16th-century Mexico, where legend tells of a woman, commonly called Pepita or Maria, who was too poor to provide a gift idea for the celebration of Jesus' birthday and was influenced by an angel to assemble weeds from the roadside and place them before the chapel altar. Crimson blossoms sprouted from the weeds and became beautiful poinsettias. From the 17th century, Franciscan friars in Mexico included the vegetation in their Christmas festivities. The star-shaped leaf structure is said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, and the red colorization represents the blood vessels sacrifice through the crucifixion of Jesus. Poinsettias are popular Holiday decor in homes, churches, office buildings, and in other places across THE UNITED STATES. They can be purchased in large numbers from grocery, drug, and hardware stores. In america, Dec 12 is National Poinsettia Day.

Poinsettias Wallpaper

Poinsettia Shrub in a Hawaiian Garden

Poinsettias get undeserved reputation as poisonous The Caldwell

The poinsettia39;s true flowers, called cyathia, are found in the center

enjoying the poinsettia in Sun Yat Sen Park in Upcountry Maui, Hawaii