December 12 is National Poinsettia Day. So often, holidays are listed as national holidays but really aren’t official national holidays. However, this is an official national holiday.
This plant has long been associated with Christmas because of its bright red and green leaves. However, now the poinsettia can be found in a variety of colors. It is also believed that one of the reasons it has been associated with Christmas is that Joel Roberts Poinset would raise them and give them to friends as gifts.
This day was declared National Poinsettia Day in honor of the death of Joel Roberts Poinset on December 12, 1851.
Joel Roberts Poinsett was the first Ambassador to Mexico and he brought the plant back to his plantation in Greenville, S.C. He continued to grow them and give them to his friends as gifts.
The red leaves of a poinsettia are actually not the bloom, but rather leaves. The bloom is at the center of the red leaves.
The Aztecs used the plant to produce red dye and as an antipyretic medication.
Many people believe that the poinsettia is poisonous. That is actually not true. This misconception was spread by an urban legend in 1919. However, it can be irritating to the skin or stomach. But the truth is that this plant is really harmless.
Why not get your Christmas poinsettias today in honor of this holiday!
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