Poinsettias evoke the holiday spirit and have become the symbol of Christmas.
Euphorbia pulcherrima (‘pulcherrima’ means ‘very beautiful’) is commonly called the Poinsettia or Flower of the Holy Night. It originated from Mexico where it was grown by the Aztecs of Central Mexico as a shrub, as well as being used by them to dye fabrics and control fever. This was many centuries before it was introduced to the United States by Joel Poinsett, an American Ambassador to Mexico in the 18th century, from whom it derives its common name.
It is now grown all over the world in large amounts for the Christmas market as a hybrid potted plant.
Poinsettias have velvety green leaves that are toothed. The actual flowers are inconspicuous; they are
