History of Poinsettias

The plants, known botanically as Euphorbia pulchenima, were born in Mexico and were named after Joel Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico. He brought the Poinsettias back home after discovering them on a hillside during a visit in 1828. Poinsett then shipped the plants to various botanical gardens around the world. Nearly 20 years later, they were first sold in the U.S. This year, over 50 million poinsettias will be purchased by Americans.

Interesting side fact about the poinsetta; it was once used as a medicine to cure fevers and now it is used to celebrate the holidays