Home » Happy Snowman

The Poinsettia

GypsyPirate by GypsyPirate
Last updated: 12/08/2011

Pretty As A Picture And Perfect For The Season

No matter how you pronounce "poinsettia", you know what it is.  It also is one of my favorite symbols of Christmas and the Christmas season. 

I can't imagine decorating for the holiday without including many poinsettias throughout my house  --  they are so beautiful and versatile.  I've found some great information to share with you here, I hope you enjoy it!


Poinsettia Books

Learn more about the poinsettia traditions and stories.

Loading

Poinsettia Information

Euphorbia pulcherrima, commonly named poinsettia, is a species of flowering plant indigenous to Mexico, and native to the Pacific coast of the United States. The shrub occurs in some parts of central and southern Mexico, and a few localities in Guatemala. The name "poinsettia" is after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Ambassador to Mexico, who introduced the plant into the United States in 1828. The alternative names for the poinsettia are: Mexican flame leaf, Christmas star, Winter rose, Noche Buena, Lalupatae, and Stella di Natale (in Italy).

The poinsettia grows as a shrub or small tree in the wild, typically reaching a height of 2 to 16 ft. The plant bears dark green dentate leaves that measure 3 to 6 inches in length. The top leaves, known as bracts, are flaming red, pink, or white and are often mistaken as flowers. The actual flowers are grouped within the small yellow structures found in the center of each leaf bunch, which are called cyathia.

(...from Wikipedia)

Holiday Poinsettias - Care & Growing Video

Loading

Poinsettia Jewelry

These wonderful sparklies will be a great addition to your holiday wardrobe. Great to get for yourself or for gifts.
Loading

The Legend Of The Poinsettia

The story is told that a poor Mexican girl had no gift to present the Christ Child at Christmas Eve services. As she walked slowly to church, her heart was filled with sadness rather than joy. Her papa told her "I am sure that even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes". Not knowing what else to do, the girl knelt by the roadside and gathered a handful of common weeds, fashioning them into a small bouquet. Looking at the scraggly bunch of weeds, she felt more saddened than ever by the humbleness of her offering. As she approached the altar, she remembered her papa's kind words: "Even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes." She felt her spirit lift as she knelt to lay the bouquet at the foot of the nativity scene. 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 known as the Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night, for they bloomed each year during the Christmas season.
Loading

Live Poinsettias Are A Great Gift

If you need to send a present across the miles, consider a live poinsettia. These florist's have beautiful choices, and whoever you send them to will think you are the most thoughtful person ever.
Loading

National Poinsettia Day

December 12th

By an Act of Congress, December 12 is set aside as National Poinsettia Day. The purpose of the day is to enjoy the beauty of this popular holiday plant.

The date marks the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett, who is credited with introducing the native Mexican plant to the United States. He took cuttings from the plant and brought them back to his greenhouse in South Carolina.

Years later, William Prescott, a historian and horticulturist, was asked to give 'Euphorbia pulcherrima' a new name as it became more popular. At that time Mr. Prescott had just published a book called "The Conquest of Mexico" in which he detailed Joel Poinsett's discovery of the plant. So, Prescott named the plant the poinsettia in honor of Joel Poinsett's discovery.

Countdown to National Poinsettia Day

National Poinsettia Day: December 12, 2011

Poinsettia Myth Debunked

The myth is that poinsettias are toxic to humans and pets. FALSE!

For a long time I bought in to the myth that poinsettias are toxic to animals and I didn't use live ones to decorate because I own cats. Then, I decided that maybe I should do some research instead of accepting this at face value. Well, the good news for me is that the myth is 100% false. Poinsettias taste really really bad and will likely give an upset stomach to anyone or anything that eats them -- but they are not toxic. You can read the whole article here, at Snopes.com.

The Prettiest Poinsettia Pictures To Be Found

please be merry by 21TonGiant
Poinsettia and Bell Tree by daryl_mitchell
Day 363: Our Favorite Little City In New England by quinn.anya
"Lookin' like a piece o' red velvet cake... so nice and sweet" ~ Happy MUNCHIE Monday ~ by turtlemom4bacon
174: 365, Poinsettia by JustyCinMD
317~365~Christmas Eve by Christina Ann VanMeter
IMG_1307 by califrayray
Christmas Kitty and Poinsettia by Rochelle, just rochelle
Christmas Kitty and Poinsettia by Rochelle, just rochelle
IMG_0474.jpg by uncmed2011
automatically generated by Flickr

Pretty Poinsettias For You To Wear

It's not the holidays for me without poinsettias all around...including on some of my shirts. Here are some great selections for you.
Loading

Quick Tips To Decorate With Poinsettias




You can use live poinsettias all over your home for wonderful finishing touches for your Christmas decorating.
  • Cluster some poinsettias near your front door to greet your guests.
  • Place a poinsettia on the bottom step of a staircase, off to the side.
  • You can put a poinsettia either on the mantle or the hearth of your fireplace (or both!) for a lovely accent.
  • Use a full, beautiful poinsettia as a centerpiece on any table. You can surround it with shiny round ornaments or pine garland. If you place any candles near the plant, be very sure that they are far enough away that their flame is not under any of the leaves.
  • Put a pretty poinsettia on the counter in your bathroom for a festive holiday touch in there as well.

Video Featuring New Poinsettia Varieties

Loading

Poinsettia Gifts

Poinsettias to give or keep for yourself.

These are some of the prettiest poinsettia gifts available.
Loading

Poinsettias Guest Book

Thanks for visiting my page - I hope you enjoyed it here. Leave me a note with your thoughts or just to say hello.

submit
Show All

Other Cool Christmas Lenses

Loading

The Poinsettia Is A Squid's Choice Lens

"The Poinsettia" was chosen as a Top Ten lens for June 2008. The theme was "Flowers" - how cool is that?

Thanks for your support of my lens!

GypsyPirate

Thanks for visiting my world

Loading

This Happy Snowman page written by

GypsyPirate

I'm a parrothead from the NorthCoast, ready to share my view on the world...

Seasons Greetings from the Wonderland

Connect with Happy Snowman

This author recommends...