When did the poinsettia become associated with Christmas?
1600s
What’s the story behind the poinsettias?
There was once a poor Mexican girl called Pepita who had no present to give the the baby Jesus at the Christmas Eve Services. The shape of the poinsettia flower and leaves are sometimes thought as a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem which led the Wise Men to Jesus. The red colored leaves symbolize the blood of Christ.
How did poinsettias become a Christmas flower?
The reason we associate poinsettias with the holidays comes from an old Mexican legend. A young girl named Pepita was sad that she didn’t have a gift to leave for the baby Jesus at Christmas Eve services. From that day on, they became known as “Flores de Noche Buena,” or “Flowers of the Holy Night.”
Are poinsettias only for Christmas?
Other fowering plants have become part of the festive scene, but poinsettias alone remain unchallenged as the traditional flower of Christmas. For a plant that did not become symbolic of the season in this country until the early 1900s, their status today is impressive.
What does it mean to dream about a poinsettia?
Dream Interpretation: Poinsettia. When you see poinsettias in your dream- they often symbolize joy, festivity and good health. With Christmas around the corner, it might be that you are looking forward to all of these things and you are impatient for their arrival.
What are poinsettias used for?
Poinsettia is a flowering plant. The whole plant and its sap (latex) are used to make medicine. Despite safety concerns, people take poinsettia to treat fever, stimulate breast milk production, and cause an abortion. They also take the latex for pain, to kill bacteria, and to cause vomiting.
Are poinsettias lucky?
The Poinsettia is a typical plant of Christmas, is originally from Mexico, may be found in many stores specializing in gardening and have noticed that some years ago even in a Chinese store (lack only sell meat and fish). It has been said that this plant brings good luck to whoever is the give if handle with affection.
Do poinsettias purify air?
Poinsettias Are Clean Air Houseplants Poinsettias remove the trace formaldehyde that exists in the air from insulation, grocery bags, particleboard, and other household items. This leads to cleaner air with fewer pollutants.
How long will poinsettias live?
“Home gardeners generally keep their poinsettias one or two years. If they’re really dedicated, maybe a little longer. But the life span for interior plants when you live in the North is measured in months, not years.”
Why are poinsettias bad luck?
As with all ornamental plants, poinsettias are not intended for human or animal consumption. The milky white sap found in poinsettias contains chemicals called diterpenoid euphorbol esters and saponin-like detergents.
How poisonous are poinsettias to humans?
Poinsettia plants are less toxic than once believed. In most cases, poinsettia exposure causes only discomfort, including: A mild, itchy rash. Skin contact with the sap of a poinsettia plant can cause a rash.
Why do poinsettias bleed white?
As a member of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) poinsettias have a milky sap. This latex helps conserve moisture within the plant and deters animals and insects from eating the plant, since the latex is bitter and toxic if eaten in large doses. If your potted poinsettia bleeds white sap, it has sustained an injury.
Can poinsettias cause breathing problems?
Direct contact with the white, milky sap from a broken poinsettia leaf, or from pruning the plant, can trigger an allergic reaction within minutes. Symptoms can include rash, hives, sneezing, coughing, tightness in the throat and difficulty breathing; in rare instances, the reaction could be life-threatening.
What parts of a poinsettia are poisonous?
Though they have a bad rap, poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) plants are only mildly toxic to cats and dogs. The milky white sap found in poinsettias contains chemicals called diterpenoid euphorbol esters and saponin-like detergents.