The Poinsettia

The marble poinsettia presently adorning the chapel at Hilltop Gardens, Naxxar, Malta

This popular Christmas plant was named after Joel Robert Poinsett, an American ambassador to Mexico. In 1829 Poinsett was so impressed with the brilliant red "flowers" that he sent some home from Mexico to South Carolina, where they did very well in Poinsett's greenhouse. Poinsettias are also called the "flower of the Holy Night" because their red bracts are said to represent the flaming Star of Bethlehem. Mexican legend has it that the poinsettia originated in a miracle. Having nothing to offer Christ on his birthday, a poor child gathered weeds into the form of a bouquet. Upon approaching the altar, the weeds transformed into brilliant red blooms. (Another version of this tale has the poor child's sadness causing the colorful plant to spring from the ground at his feet.) The product of a miracle, the poinsettia's colorful bracts became known as Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night. Poinsettias adorn many altars and places of worship, besides homes, and displayed for decoration during the festive Christmas season. There is quite a variety of species, the most popular commonly known as red, white, peppermint, jingle bell and marble.