The poinsettia is a species of plant in the spurge family. The plant’s common name comes from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Minister to Mexico, who introduced it to the United States in 1825. It was originally described by Europeans in 1834. It is particularly well known for its red and green foliage and is widely used in Christmas floral displays. Poinsettias are not always red. There are more than 100 varieties of the plant, including white, cream, pink, purple, orange and yellow shades. Marble and bicolor varieties are also available.

In December, we have a day to celebrate poinsettia. The holiday is Poinsettia Day annually on December 1.

In 2002, the House of Representatives declared December 12 as “Poinsettia Day” to honor Paul Ecke, the father of the poinsettia industry. On that day in 1828, Joel Roberts Poinsett died after introducing the plant to America.