The Garden Bug: Pointsettias

By Brenda Weaver

The ancient Aztecs called this brilliant plant cuetlaxochitl, or "the flower that perishes like all that is pure." It was very highly esteemed, and used medicinally and in worship to their gods.

Later, during the Spanish colonial period, the plant continued to be used during the religious feasts and holy days in southern Mexico, and was called Flor de Nochebuena (the Christmas Eve flower) by the monks.

American diplomat Joel Pointsett brought samples of it from southern Mexico to his home in South Carolina, and it became popular as the "pointsettia" plant.

Sources: www.ambius.com, www.mexicounexplained.com