"Count the garden by the flowers, never by the leaves that fall. Count your life with smiles and not the tears that roll."

- Unknown

About Poinsettia

Poinsettia is a wonderful flower, especially important in December, when winter holidays are approaching.It can be considered the symbol of Christmas, carrying the true spirit of the holidays.Poinsettia is a nice and special flower, helping us to get in the mood of holidays. Poinsettia is an ancient plant, even the Aztecs knew it.They used the name "Cuetlaxochitl" for it. This flower in their culture was mainly used for painting their bodies, faces.In the 17th century, Juan Balme was the first botanist to note the poinsettia plant in his writings. Its botanical name is Euphorbia pulcherrima, and it was given by Wilenow, a German botanist. Impressed by the beauty of this plant, he gave it the name “very beautiful” Joel Roberts Poinsett, the United States Ambassador of Mexico, is the person, who introduced poinsettias to the USA. The flower quickly became popular. A new name was needed, because “Euphorbia pulcherrima”, was too hard to remember and pronounce.Thus in honor of Joel Roberts Poinsettia, the flower’s discoverer, the plant was named Poinsettia.
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/poinsettia/history.html Still how come that this flower came to symbolize Christmas?- the question may arise.According to the legend, a poor child Pepita, had no gift to present the Christ Child at the Christmas Eve Services. Thus as she was walking sadly towards the chapel, she knelt to gather some weeds growing at the roadside. She made a bouquet of these weeds, and as she was approaching the chapel, was more and more sad. Her cousin Pedro, walking beside her told her encouraging words. Pedro’s words were:Even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes.As she entered the chapel remembered these words. She approached the altar, gladder. She placed her little bouquet at the foot of the nativity scene and knelt down. Suddenly, the bouquet of weeds burst into blooms of brilliant red, and all who saw them were certain that they had witnessed a Christmas miracle right before their eyes.From that day on, the bright red flowers were given the name Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night, for they bloomed each year during the Christmas season.Today, we know this plant as poinsettia!As this wonderful legend illustrate it, poinsettias, are in fact the embodiments of the Christmas spirit. Poinsettias symbolize warmth, love, family, unity and strong bonds, ties of the heart.Poinsettias are truly lovely, underlining once again the idea that flowers carry messages from heart to heart.In the USA, there is a special day dedicated to poinsettias. December 12 is the National Poinsettia Day.This day marks the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett. The sole purpose of this day is to enjoy and admire the beauty of this wonderful and popular holiday plant.Poinsettias are favored by many nations. In Romania for example persons give this flower as gifts in this period. It is a common belief in Romania that these flowers are the best gifts in this period. Poinsettias are favored for their beauty, and for all the wonderful feelings, emotions these carry. By simply looking at a Poinsettia, one can recall memories from childhood, memories in which the whole family gathered for Christmas. This wonderful flower is preferred during this time of the year. It is thus a popular holiday flower in Romania as well as elsewhere. It is interesting to mention that poinsettias in Romania are cultivated only in greenhouses. Thus when you have a look at this flower in your room, think about the work of a dedicated florist, who planted, nurtured this plant. The work of this florist makes it possible for you to delight this unparalleled and unique plant.