There are various legends and stories related to
poinsettia. Poinsettias are native to Mexico. They were named after
America's first ambassador to Mexico, Joel Poinsett. He brought the
plants to America in 1828. The Mexicans in the eighteenth century
thought the plants were symbolic of the Star of Bethlehem. Thus the
Poinsettia became associated with the Christmas season. The actual
flower of the poinsettia is small and yellow. But surrounding the
flower are large, bright red leaves, often mistaken for petals.
Poinsettias are much-loved flowers in the United States with its
stunning red star-shape. It is called the 'Flower of the Holy Night'
or the 'Flame Leaf' in Central America. The botanical name,
Euphorbia Pulcherrima, was assigned to the poinsettia by the German
botanist, Wilenow. Dazzled by its color, he gave it this name
meaning 'very beautiful.'
The legends associated with the flowers come from Mexico. It tells
of a girl named Maria and her little brother Pablo. They were very
poor but always looked forward to the Christmas festival. Each year
a large manger scene was set up in the village church, and the days
before Christmas were filled with parades and parties. The two
children loved the festival but were always disappointed because
they had no money to buy gifts. They especially wished that they
could present something to the church for the Baby Jesus. But they
had nothing. One Christmas Eve, Maria and Pablo set out for church
to attend the service. Not knowing what else to do, Pepita knelt by
the roadside and gathered a handful of common weeds, they decorated
them into a small bouquet and deciding to take them as their
Christmas gift to the new born Christ in the manger scene.
Looking at the scraggly bunch of weeds, she felt more saddened and
embarrassed than ever by the humbleness of her offering. Of course
other children teased them when they arrived with their gift, but
they said nothing for they knew they had given what they could.
Maria and Pablo began placing the green plants around the manger and
miraculously, the green top leaves turned into bright red petals,
and soon the manger was surrounded by beautiful star-like flowers,
all who saw them were certain that they had witnessed a Christmas
miracle right before their eyes. From that day onwards poinsettias
are associated with the festival of Christmas.
