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Poinsettia is one of the most recognizable symbolic representation of the Christmas season . Part of the Euphorbiaceae or spurge folk , it is known as Euphorbia pulcherrima , which mean “ beautiful flower . ”
While thisperennial shrubhas become the telephone number one potted plant across the United States , how much do you really make love about it ? chink out these seven things you should know about poinsettia . You might never look at it in the same way again .
Poinsettia Has Political Connections
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In the 1820s , Joel Roberts Poinsett , a botanist , physician , and the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico , bring the industrial plant back to his South Carolina estate after he became enamored with its undimmed crimson bloom . He propagated the industrial plant and share it with ally and botanic garden which produce the popularity of the plant . In the 1830s , the plant was renamed in Joel Roberts Poinsett ’s honor .
December 12 is National Poinsettia Day to recognise the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett on December 12 , 1851 .
It Has Many Names
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Its Aztec name cuetlaxochitl mean “ mortal flower that perishes and withers like all that is pure . ” Mayans called it k’alul wag , or ember flower . Today , Mexicans call it La Flor de Nochebuena or Holy Night Flower .
Other names for this endearing plant are Christmas headliner , Easter flower , fire - leaf flower , lobster flower , lobster plant , and paint leaf .
Poinsettia Isn’t Always Red and Green
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Some of theseperennial plantshave green leaves with pinkish , lavender , Salmon River , orangish , cream , or white floral bract . Others are immature with bichrome floral bracts , such as pink and pick . However , aristocratic and purple Christmas star are dye .
Its Flowers Are Really Leaves
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Those “ flower ” are really colored leave called bracts . They start out green when the works is produce . But as days grow brusk inwinter , they change colour . The color translation also happens when poinsettia is give away to fill out iniquity for at least 14 hours day by day .
Its true efflorescence — those clusters of yellow blooms in the middle of the colorful floral bract — are called cyathia , from the Grecian Logos for “ loving cup . ”
It Grows Taller Than You Think
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Poinsettias are primarily grown as light houseplant or shrubs in the U.S. But in their aboriginal Mexico , where they grow outside year - around , they can hang glide to as high as 15 pes magniloquent .
Poinsettia Is Great for Butterfly Gardens
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Monarch butterfly , in special , love the nectar from those invisible xanthous flower clusters . It ’s the vibrant bracts that lure these avid pollinators to the true blossoms . Add it to yourpollinator or butterfly garden .
It’s No Longer Considered Toxic
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Poinsettia still appears on some inclination of toxic plants , but it isnot as toxicas once suppose . However , absorb too much of it can cause sickness and stomach disturbed . Also , its milky sap can still cause cutis irritation , especially for citizenry with rubber-base paint allergies . It ’s best to keep children and pet away from it .
Aztecs Used It for Medicine and Dyes
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They used the milky white sap to avail charwoman boost milk output for breast feeding . It was also used as a fever redress , to treat skin infections , and as a depilatory . The Aztecs also extracted a reddish - over-embellished dye from the vivacious ruddy leaves to habituate in their textiles and cosmetics .
It Has a Long Christian Connection
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Poinsettias were first included in Christian celebrations in the seventeenth 100 . In Southern Mexico , Franciscan priest adorn pesebre — which are nativity scenes — with the works . In pagan rituals , its red and green colors were linked to Christ ’s birth .
Poinsettia Is Linked to a Miracle
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According to a Mexican legend , a pitiful Mexican girl call Pepita was sad because she did not have a gift for the Christ Child during a Christmas Eve divine service . Her cousin Pedro suggested that even the humblest gift offered with erotic love would be acceptable .
So , she take in a handful of smoke , create a nosegay , and placed it at the foot of the communion table in the small village chapel . Suddenly , the pot transformed into brilliant red blossoms . Everyone who meet the bloom trust they had seen a Christmas miracle .
More Than Just a Pretty Flower
The painted leaf has much more going for it than its radiant flowers and bright green foliage . From its symbolisation to its diplomatical role and medicative habit , it has garner a space in your indoor or outdoorgarden year - circular , not just during the gay season .
