Mayfield Electric & Water Systems

Poinsettias

Poinsettias were attached to Christmas starting in 1828.

The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), also known as the Mexican flame leaf, Christmas star, or Noche Buena, is a sub-tropical plant known for its striking red displays at Christmas time. It is often used as a floral Christmas decoration because of its festive colors. The "flowers" are actually large bunches of colored leaves (modified bracts); the flowers themselves are in the center of each leaf bunch, but rather small and inconspicuous.

Joel Roberts Poinsett was the first United States Ambassador to Mexico being appointed by President Andrew Jackson in the 1820's. At the time of his appointment, Mexico was involved in a civil war. Because of his interest in botany he introduced the American Elm into Mexico. During his stay in Mexico he wandered the countryside looking for new plant species. In 1828 he found a beautiful shrub with large red flowers growing next to a road. He took cuttings from the plant and brought them back to his greenhouse in South Carolina. Even though Poinsett had an outstanding career as a United States Congressman and as an ambassador he will always be remembered for introducing the poinsettia into the United States.

The Legend of the Poinsettia

A charming story is told of Pepita, a poor Mexican girl who had no gift to present the Christ Child at Christmas Eve Services. As Pepita walked slowly to the chapel with her cousin Pedro, her heart was filled with sadness rather than joy.
"I am sure, Pepita, that even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes," said Pedro consolingly.

Not knowing what else to do, Pepita 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 and embarrassed than ever by the humbleness of her offering. She fought back a tear as she entered the small village chapel.

As she approached the alter, she remembered Pedro'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.

Today, the common name for this plant is the poinsettia!

For More Information Contact:

Mayfield Electric & Water Systems
301 East Broadway, Mayfield, KY 42066
Tel: 270-247-4661
FAX: 270-247-0550
Internet: jcre@mayfieldews.com

Top of Page

Mayfield Electric & Water Systems

Poinsettias

The Legend of the Poinsettia

Send mail to jcre@mayfieldews.com with questions or comments about this web site. Last modified: April 18, 2008 Copyright © 2000 Mayfield Electric & Water Systems

Send mail to jcre@mayfieldews.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: April 18, 2008
Copyright © 2000 Mayfield Electric & Water Systems