The Poinsettia Tradition

Poinsettias have been a long standing tradition at Graylyn. The poinsettias are here – all 200. Once the poinsettias are placed, everyone knows the holiday season is in full swing. The Manor House comes alive when they appear almost magically. You will see poinsettias at every turn. The poinsettias are flowing out of the Sunroom, Lobby and Main Dining Room fireplaces.

Native to Central America the plant flourished in Southern Mexico. The poinsettia was first used for medicinal and practical purposes by the Aztecs. They referred to the plant as Cuetlaxochitl. The Aztecs used the milky white sap, today called latex, to treat fevers.

The poinsettia was introduced to the United States only a few short years ago in 1828. Joel Roberts Poinsett discovered the winter blooming plant when serving as the first United States Ambassador to Mexico appointed by President John Qunicy Adams. Though he attended medical school, his first love was botany. While visiting Taxco, he became enchanted with the brilliant red flower. He immediately sent some back to Greenville, South Carolina to grow in his greenhouses. He began sending them to friends and botanical gardens. Thus, began the tradition of purchasing and decorating with poinsettias during the holiday season under the botanical name, Euphorbia Pulcherrima. It is said that the first reference to the more popular name, poinsettia, came in 1836. I wonder from where it was derived…

Poinsett also founded the institution that we know as the Smithsonian Institute.