The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a popular species recognized for its vibrant foliage. It has become an annual symbol of winter holidays and Christmas celebrations across the globe. Despite its widespread use as a potted houseplant, the poinsettia’s natural form and history are far removed from the compact varieties typically seen in stores.
Mexico: The Poinsettia’s Native Home
The poinsettia is indigenous to Mexico, extending naturally into Central America. Wild populations thrive along the Pacific slope of Mexico, particularly in the mid-elevation, seasonally dry tropical forests of states like Guerrero and Oaxaca. This habitat, characterized by rocky hillsides and wooded ravines, is where the species developed its photoperiodic response to the shortening days of winter.
The ancient Aztecs cultivated the plant long before its introduction to other continents, recognizing its utility. They referred to it by the Nahuatl name Cuetlaxochitl, which translates roughly to “mortal flower that perishes and withers.” The Aztecs utilized the plant’s bright red bracts to produce a reddish-purple dye for textiles and cosmetics. They also employed the milky white sap for medicinal purposes, including the treatment of fevers and swelling.
The Difference Between Wild and Cultivated Poinsettias
The domesticated poinsettia commonly purchased today bears little resemblance to its wild ancestor. In its native environment, the plant grows as a large, lanky shrub or small tree, often reaching heights of 10 to 15 feet. Wild specimens typically have a scraggly, few-stemmed habit and smaller, sparser colored leaves. This contrasts sharply with the densely branched, compact potted plants that growers cultivate for holiday displays.
The showy, colorful parts of the poinsettia are not petals but specialized leaves called bracts. These modified leaves surround the inconspicuous true flowers, which are small, yellow, and grouped into structures called cyathia. The brilliant color of the bracts attracts pollinators, a function served by petals in other flowering plants. Modern cultivated varieties have been bred to produce larger, denser bracts and a greater variety of colors, including white, pink, and marbled hues, which are uncommon in the wild. Although a long-standing misconception suggests the plant is deadly poisonous, studies show it has low toxicity, with only the white sap causing mild irritation.
How the Poinsettia Became a Holiday Staple
The poinsettia’s transition from a Mexican shrub to an international holiday decoration began in the 1820s. Joel Roberts Poinsett, a botanist and the first United States Minister to Mexico, encountered the plant and was captivated by its winter bloom. Poinsett sent cuttings back to his greenhouses in South Carolina, introducing the species to the United States.
The plant’s commercial success is largely attributed to the Ecke family, German immigrants who began growing poinsettias in California in the early 1900s. The family perfected a unique grafting technique that forced the single-stemmed plant to branch out, resulting in the full, bushy appearance consumers preferred. Through savvy marketing, particularly by Paul Ecke Jr., the family cemented the poinsettia’s association with Christmas. They sent free plants to television studios for use in holiday broadcasts and magazines, transforming the regional plant into a universal seasonal tradition.