The poinsettia is a globally recognized plant, famous for the vibrant red, pink, or white leaves that color homes during winter. Due to its widespread cultivation and indigenous roots in Central America, the plant has acquired various names across different languages and cultures. Understanding the origins of these names reveals a history spanning ancient civilizations, botanical classification, and diplomatic exchange.
The Formal Scientific Name
The poinsettia is formally known by its binomial scientific name, Euphorbia pulcherrima. The genus name, Euphorbia, is given to a diverse group of flowering plants. The specific epithet, pulcherrima, is Latin for “most beautiful,” acknowledging its striking appearance. This classification places the plant within the large spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. Botanists rely on this universal system of nomenclature to ensure clarity across international borders, as common names often change regionally or refer to multiple species.
Vernacular and Regional Nicknames
In its native Mexico, the poinsettia is known as Flor de Nochebuena, which translates to “Flower of Christmas Eve.” This name references its natural blooming period around the winter solstice. The plant’s indigenous name, dating back to the Aztecs, is Cuetlaxōchitl from the Nahuatl language. This name is often translated to mean “flower that withers,” reflecting the thin, deciduous nature of the wild plant’s colorful bracts, which fall off after the short winter blooming period. In other Spanish-speaking regions, the plant is known as estrella federal (federal star) in Argentina, or simply the Christmas Star and Christmas Flower in many English-speaking countries, names inspired by the star-like shape of its leaves.
The Origin of the Name Poinsettia
The name Poinsettia is an eponym, named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, an American statesman and amateur botanist. Poinsett served as the first United States Minister to Mexico, beginning his post in 1825. In 1828, he encountered the plant growing wild as a tall shrub in the Taxco area of southern Mexico. Impressed by the striking red leaves, Poinsett sent cuttings back to his greenhouses in South Carolina. A Philadelphia nurseryman, Robert Buist, popularized the plant and, in 1836, gave it the common name Poinsettia in honor of the man who introduced it to the United States.
Dispelling the Toxicity Myth
A persistent misconception about the poinsettia is that it is highly toxic, even deadly, if ingested by humans or pets. Scientific research has extensively studied the plant’s chemical composition and has overwhelmingly disproven this long-standing rumor. The plant contains a milky sap, or latex, which can cause mild irritation in the mouth and stomach, potentially leading to minor upset, vomiting, or diarrhea if consumed. However, the level of toxicity is considered extremely low. A study analyzing over 22,000 cases of reported poinsettia exposure found that most individuals experienced no ill-effects, and there were no fatalities. For a child to ingest a toxic quantity, they would need to consume an impractical amount, estimated to be between 500 to 600 leaves. The plant’s danger has been greatly exaggerated since an unconfirmed report circulated in 1919.