What dates do poinsettias celebrate?

Answer 1

Christmas Eve is the particular date that the poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is intended to celebrate.

Specifically, the plant is native to southwestern Mexico. It is a late-blooming plant in the sense that it flowers naturally during the month of December. The native peoples of Mexico considered the plant a symbol of spiritual purity because of the bracts (modified leaves) that turn red while the tiny flower matures into an inconspicuous yellow. The subsequent Spanish-speaking settlers of Mexico recognized the same symbolic beauty in the plant and adapted its use to the Christmas holidays.

The plant remained unknown north of the U.S.-Mexican border until the time of Joel Roberts Poinsettia (March 2, 1779 - December 12, 1851). Roberts served as Special Envoy to Mexico in 1822-1823 and as first U.S. Minister to Mexico in 1825-1830. What with a thorough botanical training and a strong interest in nature, Roberts realized the cultural and scientific import of introducing the plant to his fellow countrymen.

The traditional Mexican Catholic tradition of linking the plant with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations was not lost with its introduction into the U.S. in 1828. The introduction was sparse and slow, initially as specimens for select botanist friends of Poinsett. But within less than 100 years, the Ecke family of Hollywood, California had laid the groundwork to the popularizing of the poinsettia as the Christmas plantto have at home and in the office.