Poinsettia fans are getting ready to celebrate their favorite flower on December 12.
National Poinsettia Day (declared by an act of the United States Congress) marks the 1851 death of Joel Roberts Poinsett, who introduced the native Mexican plant to the United States in 1828.
Poinsett was the first United States Ambassador to Mexico, appointed in the 1820s. During his stay there, Poinsett wandered the countryside looking for new plant species. In 1828, he found a shrub with large red flowers growing next to a road. He took cuttings from the plant and sent them back to his greenhouse in South Carolina.
the University of Illinois, the botanical name, Euphorbia pulcherrima, was assigned to the poinsettia by the German botanist, Wilenow. Dazzled by its color, he gave it the Latin botanical name, which means “very beautiful.”
In 1843, William Prescott, a historian and horticulturist, was asked to give the Euphorbia pulcherrima a new name as it became more popular. Prescott had just published a book called the Conquest of Mexico in which he detailed Poinsett’s discovery of the plant, and he named the plant the poinsettia in honor of Joel Poinsett.
Some of the places to see dazzling poinsettia displays this holiday season are these:
“Conservatory Crossing” combines model trains with brilliant poinsettias in the , Indianapolis, Indiana; open through December 31, 2010 ()
G-scale model trains travel through a re-created Appalachian Trail at Gardenland Express, open through January 2, 2011, at the in St. Louis, Missouri ()
The in the historic wood lath Botanical Building in Balboa Park, San Diego, California, is open December 3, 2010, through January 5, 2011 ()
are the theme for displays at the Botanic Garden of ABQ BioPark in Albuquerque, New Mexico, December 4 through 31, 2010 ()
According to , poinsettias are shrubs or small trees, typically reaching a height of 2 to 16 feet. The plant bears dark green dentate leaves that measure 3 to 6 inches in length. The colored bracts—which are most often flaming red but can be orange, pale green, cream, pink, white or marbled—are actually leaves. The colors come from photoperiodism, meaning that they require darkness for 12 hours at a time to change color.
Because of their groupings and colors, aficionados often think the bracts are the flower petals of the plant. In fact, the flowers (called cyathia) are grouped within the small yellow structures found in the center of each leaf bunch.
The plant’s association with Christmas began in 16th century Mexico, where legend tells of a young girl who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus’ birthday. The tale goes that the child was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from the roadside and place them in front of the church altar. Crimson “blossoms” sprouted from the weeds and became beautiful poinsettias. Starting in the 17th century, Franciscan friars in Mexico included the plants in their Christmas celebrations. The star-shaped leaf pattern is said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, and the red color represents the blood sacrifice through the crucifixion of Jesus.
I love solo holidays. Sometimes I just want the freedom and flexibility to do what I want, when I want. I mean, it’s a vacation, right? I have the right to enjoy myself!
Aside from freedom & flexibility, I think that solo travel also affords you the opportunity to find some serendipity...
London England. Without question one of my favorite places in the world to visit. There really is no city quite like it. I don’t know why, but from the moment my plane touches down in London I feel at home. Perhaps it’s the accent, perhaps the history and the culture; I really love London.
So,...
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
Who knew Puerto Rico was such an easy and fun destination for travelers of all ages? Certainly not me, but over 2 million people last year were in on the secret. With a warm tropical climate, soft sand beaches, lush rainforest, and a vibrant culture, Puerto Rico may be an unincorporated...
For almost 3 years we’ve been bringing to you, our travel enthusiast, insider tips from our local experts around the world. We’ve covered the top travel destinations as much as we have tried to introduce you to others that were probably not in your radar; reviewed the best hotels and restaurants...
Southeast Asia is one of those places you visit and the experience just lingers – the sights and sounds leave quite an impression. At first, I felt ashamed at being a typical foreigner with our guide and our luxury hotel; we had researched several luxury tailor made holidays and found that actually,...
Although China first opened its doors to tourists in 1974, I did not personally know many people who visited there until recently. In the last few years, more and more of my friends and relatives have been exploring China and coming back with rave reviews. In fact, I am reminded of visiting China every...
If you’re a traveler and you spend any time on social media, you no doubt have come across The Authentic Seacoast, one of the friendliest and most welcoming of any online travel personalities I’ve met. I’ve been chatting with them online and enjoying the stories of Nova Scotia from...
Halifax is Nova Scotia’s capital city, a drop of cosmopolitan in a sea of fishing villages and rural communities. As one of Canada’s most popular maritime provinces for tourists to visit, I was really looking forward to finding out how different Nova Scotia was to its other provincial neighbors,...
Africa is one of the world’s last wild continents – it’s more accessible than Antartica, for sure, but you’ll find just as diverse experiences from one end of the land to the other, but with far fewer tourist and a lot more breathing room. Africa is a place full of misconceptions,...
So, let’s just clarify – yes, Canada does have a capital. Do you know where? It’s Ottawa, located in the northeast of Ontario, one of the country’s most populous provinces, and just across the river from the French-speaking Quebec province; this part of town is called Gatineau....
I love riding the rails. There’s just something about the experience that is wholly more satisfying than an airline flight. Maybe it’s the expansive windows, the sound of the wheels clacking on the rails, or maybe just the comfort of being able to get up and move around during the trip....
Prague’s mosaic pavements glow gold late afternoon. They glisten like shed tears on rainy days. Prague’s pavements and streets are exquisite works of art. Look down and discover the different geometrical figures.
Staroměstské náměstí, Old Town Square is a carpet of cobblestones. The cobbles...
I was pleasantly surprised during my recent travel to Buffalo, New York. My visions of snowdrifts and snowplows did not come to fruition, though I was smart and visited during the height of summer. However, I was blown away but the charming communities and superb architecture all over the city. One...
I’ve been in touch for a few years with a couple of very close friends based in New York’s Finger Lakes region, in upstate New York south of Rochester. I’ve always envied them – they seemed to live in a peaceful idyll despite a harsh winter. I’d visited Corning, in the...
While I was watching the 2008 Olympic Games held in Beijing, one thing struck me more than the skill of the athletes and that was the sheer beauty of China itself. Before viewing these pictures shared on the television screen, I had images in my mind of China, The Great Wall and the Imperial Palace,...
Recently, my travels took me to the offbeat and unlikely upstate New York stop of Rochester. Few tourists get far beyond the reach of New York City, and who can blame them – it’s got a little something for everybody. But those looking for a change of pace should head North and West, as...
Prague is the city of cobbled streets, Bohemian crystal, souvenirs and tourists. Prague is immensely popular. This compact city is speckled with Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture. Watch the astronomical clock parade. Shuffle across Charles Bridge and wind your way up to Hradcany, the castle...
Growing up in Indiana there are a few things I know. I know that March brings basketball, July brings corn, and lots of it, and May brings life to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. More importantly, May brings Memorial Day and the Indy 500.
Built in 1909 as a test track for the automobile industry,...
London is known for a lot of things: Big Ben, the largest Ferris Wheel in the World (the London Eye), and of course royal scandals.
Did you also know that London has one of the world’s best restaurant festivals: the Taste of London?
Held in London’s Regent’s Park June 17-20, the Taste of London...
