Well you learn something new every day. I was not aware that the poinsettia was December’s birthflower or even that there was such a thing as a monthly birthflower. Apparently the birthflowers for October and November are marigolds and chrysanthemums. It begins to make more sense when you discover that the information comes from the Avas Flowers website which has this article on the festive poinsettia.
When poinsettias start to appear in windows all around my neighborhood, I know that the holiday season is in full gear. A bright red poinsettia wrapped in gold or silver ribbon is a must-have for people who love to decorate their homes and businesses in December. So I thought I’d use this week’s post to take a more in-depth look at this distinctive plant that seems to be just about everywhere this time of year. Enjoy!
The Background of Poinsettias
This festive plant originates from forests in Mexico and Central America. These plants date back to the Aztecs, who considered them a symbol of purity. In addition to admiring their beauty, the Aztecs created a dye from the leaves of these plants. They also used sap from the leaves as a treatment for fever. Poinsettias are named after botanist Joel Roberts Poinsett, who served as U.S. ambassador to Mexico from 1825 to 1829. Poinsettia plants are sometimes called lobster flowers or flame-leaf flowers because of their brilliant red color. They’re also known by many as simply the Christmas flower.
Read more at Avas Flowers
Image source: Ben Kerckx
